Age-Friendly Approaches to Managing Mentation, A Delirium Case Review
Abstract
Delirium is common among older adults in post-acute care and often goes unrecognized, particularly when presenting with hypoactive or mixed features. This case example describes an 85-year-old man admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility after hip fracture repair who developed acute confusion, inattention, fluctuating consciousness, and functional decline five days into his stay. Guided by the Age-Friendly 4Ms framework, the interdisciplinary team addressed underlying causes. Within one week, the patient demonstrated substantial improvement. This case highlights the critical role of early recognition, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions in managing delirium, emphasizing how the 4Ms of Age-Friendly care can optimize recovery and support a return to baseline function in older adults.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders
Frailty in Older Adults
Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Senior Care Pharmacist
- Publisher
- American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 13–20
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN