The onset of delirium is an acute change in an individual’s mental status, in which sudden symptoms can develop over a course of hours or days (Townsend & Morgan, 2017). This sudden change in symptoms can fluctuate throughout the day and typically resolves once the underlying condition is promptly addressed (Townsend & Morgan, 2017). Delirium is a temporary state of sudden change in mental status, which differentiates from the permanent progressive decline associated with dementia (Townsend & Morgan, 2017). Dementia is a gradual permanent decline over months or years in cognitive functioning (Townsend & Morgan, 2017). Dementia often has a progressive onset of symptoms, but is a permanent state of problems in memory and cognition that interferes with everyday life (Townsend & Morgan,
The onset of delirium is an acute change in an individual’s mental status, in which sudden symptoms can develop over a course of hours or days (Townsend & Morgan, 2017). This sudden change in symptoms can fluctuate throughout the day and typically resolves once the underlying condition is promptly addressed (Townsend & Morgan, 2017). Delirium is a temporary state of sudden change in mental status, which differentiates from the permanent progressive decline associated with dementia (Townsend & Morgan, 2017). Dementia is a gradual permanent decline over months or years in cognitive functioning (Townsend & Morgan, 2017). Dementia often has a progressive onset of symptoms, but is a permanent state of problems in memory and cognition that interferes with everyday life (Townsend & Morgan,