​​​​​​​​​Some people, especially older adults, become confused or delirious after a hip fracture. The changes you see can be upsetting, as the person isn’t their normal self. Delirium can be caused by surgery, pain, a new environment, medicine, and changes in health.

People who are delirious may:

• not make sense when they speak
• not pay attention to or recognize others
• not recognize everyday objects
• be restless, fidgety or sleepy
• believe someone’s trying to hurt them
• try to get out of bed
• become withdrawn or may yell, scream, or become physically aggressive
• imagine things, people, or events that never happened
• not be able to control their bladder or bowels
• forget things they’ve been told
• try to pull out tubes or intravenous (IV) lines
• forget that they’re in the hospital, or think they’re somewhere else

It can take a few days to find the cause(s). Once the cause is known, treatment is started. It can take days, weeks, or sometimes months before they recover.

Nursing staff may use safety precautions like bed alarms to help keep the person safe. Please talk to nursing staff about the safety precautions if they’re needed.

Below are some tips that can help family and friends during this time:

• Let the healthcare team know that there are changes in the person’s behaviour.
• Sit with them. A familiar face can often make them feel more relaxed.
• Make sure they have any aids they normally use or wear, like glasses or hearing aids.
• Use simple explanations of what’s going on, give gentle reminders of where they are, and tell them what the date is.
• Try to speak about general things. Don’t expect them to understand or remember anything.
• Don’t ask questions you know they don’t know the answer to.
• Don’t argue with them.
• Don’t take what they say seriously or personally (delirium often makes people say or do things that aren’t usual for them).
• Bring in pictures, blankets, or other non-valuable items that are familiar.