If your loved one is diagnosed with ICU delirium, there are ways you can help.
You know your loved one best. Sharing information about who your loved one is and what they are like can help the healthcare team give them the best care.
Having you there with them brings your loved one comfort, even if you can't tell. You can also bring your loved one comfort by doing the following:
Work with healthcare team
- Let the nursing team know your loved one's preferences.
- Share with your nursing team who they are as a person outside of the ICU.
- Help
your loved one
with
daily
activities,
such
as
brushing
their
teeth and
washing
their
face,
if you feel comfortable doing so.
Bring familiar items
- Bring 1 or 2 of their personal items from home.
- Bring in their glasses, hearing aids, and other items they use.
Make your loved one comfortable
- Talk in a calm voice and keep conversations simple.
- Try
to
keep
their
attention
by
reading
to
them,
playing
music,
rubbing
their
hands,
or praying with them.
-
Let them know the date, time, and where they are.
- Open blinds to let natural light in the room or turn lights on.
- Set
up
how
they
like
to
sleep
at
night,
such
as
using
certain
blankets,
having
dim
light, or making sure they have earplugs.
