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Confusion
Alternative Names: Disorientation; Thinking - unclear; Thoughts - cloudy Home Care: A good way to test to see if a person is confused is to ask the person his or her name, age, and the date. If they are unsure or answer incorrectly, they are confused. Text Continues Below A confused person should not be left alone. To ensure a confused person's safety, physical restraints may be required in some situations. Try to keep the surroundings calm, quiet, and peaceful. When visiting a person whose confusion is from a chronic disease, you should always introduce yourself each time you see them, no matter how well he or she once knew you. Placing a calendar and clock near the person can help keep him or her oriented. When taking care of someone who is confused, frequently remind the person of his or her location. Talk to him or her about current events and plans for the day. For sudden confusion due to low blood sugar (for example, from diabetes medication), the person should drink a sweet drink or eat a sweet snack. If the confusion lasts longer than 10 minutes, call the doctor. Call your health care provider if: Call 911 if: Confusion has come on suddenly or is accompanied by other symptoms like headache, feeling dizzy or faint, rapid pulse, slow or rapid breathing, cold or clammy skin, uncontrolled shivering, or fever. Confusion has come on suddenly in someone with diabetes. Confusion came on following a head injury. The person becomes unconscious at any time. Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>