During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for a project to prevent/manage delirium in the COVID-19 positive elder population became apparent. In an effort to preserve PPE and limit potential exposure, multiple facets of the healthcare team (dietary, EVS, etc.), as well as visitors, were not permitted into these rooms. This limitation initially led to less face to face interaction, increasing the risk for developing hospital delirium.
Jennifer Melara (CL of 56) and Suzanne Tan (CL of 57) were tasked to create a plan for these patients. Together they put a lot of time and effort in creating specific interventions to stimulate the patients in an effort to minimize delirium. Jennifer and Suzanne focused their efforts on mobility, sleep, cognitive stimulation, and nutrition. They began their day by providing adequate lighting in the morning to facilitate a normal sleep/wake schedule. They would begin mobilizing patients who were able in the morning as well. Another effort was the cognitive stimulation of these patients. Jen and Suzanne spent a great deal of time getting patients set up on video conferences with family/friends to help provide these patients with a familiar presence since their loved ones were not permitted to visit. They also delivered art supplies, books, puzzles, movies, and music to stimulate and engage the patients in some form of entertainment.
Lastly, the two Clinical Leaders helped the patients get the type of food they preferred by making meal assistant rounds. The elder patients at times were unable to answer the phone, hear the caller (due to impaired hearing), read the menus (due to vision impairments), and understand their meal options. For patients who were cognitively not able to express what foods they preferred, Jen and Suzanne would reach out to their family/friends to find this information. Most of all, these two should be recognized for putting their hearts into this project.