Abstract
South Korean nurses’ knowledge of delirium in hospitalised older adults with and without dementia
Highlights
In South Korea, the prevalence of dementia is rapidly increasing alongside the aging of the population
Seventy-nine participants reported that they studied content related to older people with and without dementia and/or delirium in medical-surgical or mental health nursing subjects in their undergraduate programs
Almost registered nurses (RNs) reported that they had experienced caring for hospitalised older adults with the symptoms of dementia, hyperactive delirium, hypoactive delirium, hyperactive delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD), and hypoactive DSD represented in the case vignettes
Summary
In South Korea, the prevalence of dementia is rapidly increasing alongside the aging of the population. The prevalence of dementia among South Korean older adults (age ≥65 years) was 8.4% in 2008, and it is expected to increase to 9.7% by 2020 and to 13.2% by 2050 [1]. The inpatient hospital costs for Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia has been reported as being greater than for any other disease in South Korea [2]. The rapid increase in the population of people with dementia has the potential to increase the likelihood of health care professionals in hospitals in South Korea encountering older adults with delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD) in their daily practice. DSD is distressing for patients [7] and is likely to significantly increase patients’ need for assistance from registered nurses (RNs) and family caregivers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
