Dr. Samuel Thrall is a geriatrician with Niagara Health. This column appeared in the St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review and Welland Tribune.
As a relatively young doctor, people often ask why I chose geriatrics.
There are two parts to the answer. The first is personal: I’ve always had a close relationship with my grandparents. Watching them navigate the challenges of aging while trying to preserve their independence and quality of life inspired me long before I ever stepped into medical school.
They continue to motivate me in the work I do.
The second reason is the nature of geriatrics itself. It’s a field rooted in comprehensiveness, complexity, collaboration and communication.
We don’t just treat a condition — we try to understand the full story. We dig deep, gather information from every angle and look for the small things that can make a big difference
Because the magic is in the details.
Sometimes it’s one tiny adjustment — tweaking a medication, adding a hearing aid, changing the environment — that can completely change the trajectory of someone’s health journey.
And there’s no better example of why this kind of careful, collaborative care matters than delirium.
What is delirium?
Delirium is a sudden change in a person’s ability to think, focus or behave normally. It’s not dementia — though the two can look similar — and it’s not just “confusion.” Delirium is a medical emergency, and one that is often missed.
It can come on quickly, fluctuate throughout the day and is usually caused by an underlying medical issue or disruption in how the body is functioning.
It affects up to 50 per cent of hospitalized adults over 65. And yet, most of us don’t even know it exists. Even in hospitals, only about a third of cases are recognized.
That’s a problem — because delirium is the third most common harmful event experienced by individuals in Canadian hospitals. It’s associated with longer hospital stays, higher risk of death, increased likelihood of being moved into long-term care and even the development of dementia down the road.
There’s no pill that fixes delirium. The only way to treat it is to identify and address the medical issue causing it. But the good news is 30 to 40 per cent of hospital-acquired delirium is preventable. And you, as a family member or caregiver, can play a big part in that.
What you can do
When you’re sitting at a loved one’s bedside in the hospital, it’s easy to feel helpless — like you’re just waiting for something to happen. But you’re not powerless. You can help prevent delirium with small, simple actions that anyone can do.
Here are a few places to start:
Keep your loved one engaged: Talk with them, read aloud, share stories, bring in familiar photos or personal items.
Let the light in: Open the blinds during the day, as light encourages wakefulness and activity and helps their internal clock stay on track.
Encourage movement: With the care team’s OK, help them get out of bed and sit in a chair or walk, even just a little movement.
Support basic needs: Make sure they have their glasses and hearing aids. Offer water if they’re allowed to drink. Help them open food items and eat.
Stimulate the mind: Puzzles, music, casual conversation — it doesn’t have to be fancy. Just keep their brain active and oriented.
None of this is high-tech. None of it requires a medical degree. But it can prevent delirium, reduce suffering and improve outcomes. Families who engage in these strategies can shorten delirium episodes, reduce hospital stays, and even help their loved ones avoid long-term cognitive and physical decline.
You’re not just visiting — you’re helping them heal
We often think of hospital care as something only doctors and nurses provide. But care is a team effort, and family members are a vital part of that team.
If your loved one is in the hospital and you’re wondering what you can do — start with these tips. These small, actionable steps don’t just pass the time. They make a real difference.
