Oct 30, 2013

Intensive Care and Dementia?

"75% of patients leave intensive care with some type of dementia." NBC News

Despite age, people who are in intensive care can leave with permanent damage to their brains, caused by being sedated, from infections, and from medications. Sobering news and something to consider if any of us needs to go to the hospital for surgery or accidents.  Hospitals are trying to prevent this after the study came out, but sedating people less and getting them up and walking sooner.  But, this is something for us to consider if the person for whom we provide care or we ourselves end up in the hospital.  Part of being a caregiver is watching for and preventing any potential further damage.   

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