Subject Libguides: Delirium, Dementia & Cognitive Impairment: Resources

The Dementia Domains of Learning are adapted from the National Dementia Education and Training Standards Framework. To learn more about the framework click here.

CLICK ON EACH TAB below to discover resources for each listed domain.

Dementia - Domains of Learning

Topic Chapter - Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. Read section [Causes]

The most common neurodegenerative conditions causing dementia are.

Alzheimer disease (AD) (see "Clinical features and diagnosis of Alzheimer disease")
Vascular Dementia - (see Etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of vascular dementia)
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) (see "Clinical features and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies")
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (see "Frontotemporal dementia: Clinical features and diagnosis")
Parkinson disease dementia (PDD) (see "Cognitive impairment and dementia in Parkinson disease")

Click on the referring links for further detailed information of a specific dementia diagnosis.

Delirium in Elderly Patients [Chapter : Approach to the Elderly Patient with Delirium: Nursing Perspective] by Ahmet Turan Isik (Editor)
Call Number: Springer eBook Collection
ISBN: 9783319652375
Publication Date: 2018
Delirium is a common and serious problem for hospitalized older patients and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Prevention is the most effective strategy for minimizing the occurrence of delirium and its adverse outcomes. Nurses have multiple contacts with patients and spend more time at the bedside than physicians, therefore, they are in a unique position to observe changes in mental status fluctuations in attention, level of consciousness, and cognitive functioning at an early stage. Recognition of delirium can be enhanced with education of nurses in delirium features, cognitive assessment, and factors associated with poor recognition. With awareness of predisposing and precipitation factors, prevention strategies can be developed.
Ageing in a Nursing Home. [Chapter : Dementia Challenges] by Rosalie Hudson
Call Number: Springer eBook Collection
ISBN: 9783030982669
Publication Date: 2022
This chapter highlights the importance of differentiating the various types of dementia, confronts the associated challenges and provides evidence for best practice care. The section on ‘families flourishing or floundering’ explores the challenges and opportunities for family members to be engaged in the caring process, while acknowledging that many are exhausted by their experience of caring for a person with dementia at home prior to nursing home admission. Suggestions are made which may encourage families and volunteers to contribute, enhancing the care provided by staff.
Practical Dementia Care [Chapter : Supportive Care for the Patient with Dementia] by Peter V. Rabins (Editor); Constantine G. Lyketsos (Editor); Cynthia D. Steele (Editor)
Call Number: Oxford Medical eBook Collection
ISBN: 9780199376834
Publication Date: 2016
Recognizing the uniqueness of each individual is one element of dementia care. This chapter reviews the elements of establishing a relationship with the person with dementia, and the importance of maximizing function, providing a range of activities, attending to safety, and adapting the environment to meet the needs of the person with dementia.

Dementia Australia (July, 2022) Person-centred models in dementia care [policy position statement]

Person-centred care is a philosophy of care based on knowing the individual and their unique background, needs and preferences and tailoring support and care accordingly.

Dementia : [Read Chapter 16 - Communication] by Victor Pace (Editor); Adrian Treloar (Editor); Sharon Scott (Editor)
Call Number: Oxford Medical eBook Collection
ISBN: 9780199237807
Publication Date: 2011
Good communication is at the heart of good dementia care. Patients with dementia communicate less easily, understand less easily, and respond to advice and support less easily. Communication with family and friends is also crucial, as is the ability to discuss and explain bad news. Sharing information with other professionals is an essential part of good clinical care and there are simple rules to enable this to be done well and effectively.

Dementia Australia (2024) Mood and behaviour changes. [Website]

Behaviour Management: A Guide to Good Practice (BPSD Guide) (2012) [Online booklet]

Therapeutics Guidelines

Refer to Dementia Topic

Therapeutic Guidelines (TG) https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au/etgAccess is endorsed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care as an independent, evidence-based, practical treatment advice to assist Australian health practitioners with decision making at the point-of-care. Cabrini Health provides an institutional subscription to TG and is available through Cabinet and remote access is available through the library software OpenAthens.

Australian Medicines Handbook

Refer to Neurological Topic

AMH is a medication resource and is organised in chapters, then grouped according to properties such as pharmacological class or therapeutic use. Cabrini Health provides an institutional subscription to AMH and is available through Cabinet and remote access is available through the library software OpenAthens.

Management of Patients with Dementia [ Chapter - Assessment and Management of Pain in Patients with Dementia] by Kristian Steen Frederiksen (Editor)
Call Number: Springer eBook Collection
ISBN: 9783030779030
Publication Date: 2021
Painful conditions such as arthritis are as common in the elderly as in those with dementia. With the increasing severity of dementia, pain assessment gets increasingly challenging. This chapter presents a background on pain in dementia and guidance on pain assessment and treatment of pain will be included. Cases will illustrate the different approaches and pitfalls.

Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing [Chapter 23 - Delirium, Confusion, and Agitation] by Betty Rolling Ferrell (Editor);
Call Number: Oxford Medical eBook Collection
ISBN: 9780190862374
Publication Date: 2019
The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing is a comprehensive textbook on the art and science of palliative care nursing. Chapter 23 examines the symptoms, causes, and management of delirium, with a special emphasis on nursing management and family interventions.

Australian Journal of Dementia Care - Latest Articles

Changing behaviour - why, how and who
Isabelle Meyer, Executive Director of Dementia Training Australia discusses the phrase "changed behaviour" in caring for dementia patients.

Handy Reference

Dementia Care by Dawn. Brooker; Sue Lillyman; Mary Bruce
Call Number: EBSCO eBook
ISBN: 9781032217659
Publication Date: 2022
Ideal for quick reference, this pocket-sized guide puts all the crucial information on caring for patients with dementia at your fingertips.Evidence-based and fully updated for this second edition, it includes all you need to know on: person-centred dementia care; dementia-friendly environments; working with families as partners; communication and managing behaviour; pain assessment; nutrition and medication; advanced care plans; and much more

Dementia Training Australia - Self directed learning

Advancing Practice In The Care Of People With Dementia

A suite of free resources which provide core information about dementia and the care of people with dementia.
There are 9 handbooks which form a self-directed education program The recommendation is to progress through the handbooks in order.
A free registration is required before any handbooks can be viewed or downloaded.

Click here to view and download the handbooks

Topics Covered

Handbook 1 – Overview of dementia
Handbook 2 – Risk factors
Handbook 3 – Diagnosing dementia
Handbook 4 – Promoting wellbeing
Handbook 5 – Treatment and intervention options
Handbook 6 – Social and lifestyle
Handbook 7 – Behaviours and psychological symptoms
Handbook 8 – Therapeutic communication
Handbook 9 – The role of the carer

Apps and Podcasts

Ask Annie

Created by the team at Dementia Australia, the Ask Annie App App provides short practical interactive modules for health professionals.

Free to download from the App store

Hold the Moment

A podcast from Dementia Australia, is full of real stories about life after a dementia diagnosis.

Scan the barcode on your device or click here to see the full list of episodes

Keep Current

Latest research for multidisciplinary groups caring for dementia patients

Delirium, Dementia & Cognitive Impairment: Resources

What is Delirium

Australasian Delirium Association

ACQHS Standards