Going into this I felt like I simply had it memorized of all the causes of delirium through, dehydration, withdrawal, uncontrolled pain, infection, reduced sensory input (visual or auditory), etc. As the program went on, I learned more what each of those meant for the patient. Sometimes it was as simple as opening the patients window curtains or making sure their glasses were on them and not just under layers of belongings on their side table or windowsill. I would say that the most meaningful part of this experience was getting to spend the time to talk about the patient’s families and where they grew up. It was always something simple to talk about asking if someone was from the area to open up the conversation and many patients loved bragging about their kids and just having someone to listen for 10 minutes. 

I did meet my goals. I was able to continue making clinical differentiations between dementia and delirium. Additionally, I was able to help prevent delirium. One of my other goals as well was to set boundaries because this is something I sometimes struggle with. Before beginning this assignment, I said I wanted to set boundaries with patients if they say they needed help going to the bathroom, knowing I’m medically trained to do so but not in the role I am there for today. I was able to kindly remind them that that was not within my role, however I could find someone to help them with that and reshowed them how to use their call light as well.  I also had said going into this that I was nervous I wouldn’t “intervene enough and just chit chat” but what I’ve learned is that sometimes the chit chat is the intervention in keeping the patient oriented to the day, time, knowing where they are and having that time together for sensory input. I will bring this forth with me in my future endeavors with patients knowing how important even 5-10 minutes can be of range of motion exercises and speaking with a patient about their day.