Dementia is a growing issue within our healthcare system. Many of our elderly patients are coming in with problems that are complicated by the fact that they also have some form of dementia. As of 2008, 5.2 million people in the United States had some form of dementia. Of people 75 years or older, 25% of them had a secondary diagnosis of dementia, and over the next 30 years that number is expected to double (Weitzel, et al., 2011). In light of this there are special considerations one needs to keep in mind when dealing with a person that is mentally incapacitated. Nursing care for these patients should be adjusted in order to have more positive outcomes.
Having dementia puts patients at greater risk for delirium, confusion, inadequate nutritional
Having dementia puts patients at greater risk for delirium, confusion, inadequate nutritional