Today's Chair is Professor Arjen Slooter, President, European Delirium Association. Professor of Intensive Care Neuropsychiatry, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands.
The conference opened with an inspiring talk by Jayne Goodrick and Chris Roberts, Jayne cares for her husband Chris who is living with Dementia. Jayne talked about the impact of Chris' diagnosis on them and their family, Jayne said on the day they got the diagnosis after 13 months of testing at a memory clinic they walked in husband and wife and left as patient and carer, the diagnosis completely changed their family dynamic, they became a team around the indvidual. Jayne also said they left with a diagnosis and nothing else other than a welcome pack. Jayne immediately started doing everything for Chris before they realised she had disabled him before the Dementia. They now look for solutions to reenable Chris such as an easier to open kettle, slip in or velcro fastening shoes rather than laces. Chris said this really relieves stress for him and keeps his anxiety down. Jayne talked about how they have had to learn as they've gone along, that she was thrown straight into the carer role; it wasn't a job she applied for and she is not a natural carer. Jayne and Chris have both found help and support through a research group at the University of Bangor near to where they live. They have met others with early stage dementia and formed a lunch club. There hasn't been a lot of support or education for them, they eventually worked out that when Chris is getting ill with chest infections the signs are in his Dementia getting worse. Jayne concluded her presentation around the question of 'Care or Cure?' saying; "carers need to be taught to be able to truly care".
Delirium Prevention
Dr Mani Santhana Krishnan, Consultant in Old Age/Liaison Psychiatry, Clinical Director, 
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Academic Secretary, Royal College of Psychiatrists Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry, and Associate Dean & Regional Delirium Lead, Health Education England NE
Dr Krishnan is passionate about promoting Delirium awareness to health care professionals and Public. He has been actively championing Delirium prevention in the North East of England. Recently he also has been spreading the Delirium Education internationally. He has presented his work on delirium education in national and international conferences. He is active in promoting delirium awareness in social media and started the hashtag #icanpreventDELIRIUM. His #DeliriumReady campaign had a global reach on the World Delirium Day in March 2019.
View his educational videon on Delirium Superimposed Dementia and how to manage here.
Prescribing to avoid delirium
Delia Bishara, Consultant Pharmacist, Mental Health of Older Adults & Dementia, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Pre-event abstract
There is increasing evidence that anticholinergic medication is associated with risks in older adults, especially in patients with dementia. Current NICE guidance on Dementia recommends minimising the use of medicines associated with increased anticholinergic burden and to look for alternatives where possible. So far, identifying which drugs have an anticholinergic burden on cognition has been a challenge. This talk will provide an overview of the dangers associated with anticholinergic medication use in older people and introduce a tool and web based app to aid with medication reviews for patients.
Delirium assessment and assessment of people at risk
Nicky Bevan, Dementia Specialist Occupational Therapist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Pre-event abstract
There are differences and similarities between delirium and dementia. Many people living with dementia are at risk of delirium and often dementia and delirium can co-exist for months at a time, multiple times per annum.
We understand that people living with dementia are at a greater risk of developing a delirium and it is one of the most common reasons for hospitalisation and increased length of stay. Delirium can have a profound and detrimental impact on a person’s future health outcomes, quality of life and is accepted as a primary factor leading to long-term disability.
It is widely recognised that person centred care is an integral part of delirium and dementia care. I hope to share with you the benefits of a multifactorial, holistic approach to delirium management and how this can fundamentally improve the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia.