Bluewater Health is now offering a program to help older adults return to their homes after being hospitalized.
Elder Life Specialist Jody McGregor says the Hospital Elder Life Program, or HELP, seeks to prevent delirium and other complications through early intervention.
She says the hospital identified a need for patients in acute care that have the potential of developing delirium.
"It's an acute state of confusion. So, what we've identified is that with this program we are able to prevent these patients from acquiring delirium and a functional decline in our admitted patients," say McGregor.
McGregor says HELP reduced the incidence of delirium by 34% during trials.
The program also helps patients avoid falls, pressure sores and other issues.
She says symptoms of delirium can increase a hospital stay by two or more weeks.
