Background: Hospitalization in older adults with cognitive impairment is a seminal event that often leads to iatrogenic complications and exacerbation of behavioral disturbances that require a higher level of observation to ensure the patient’s safety. Our study aimed to determine whether an innovative model, using Patient Engagement Specialists (PES) improves care for hospitalized older adults [...]

Background: Hospitalization in older adults with cognitive impairment is a seminal event that often leads to iatrogenic complications and exacerbation of behavioral disturbances that require a higher level of observation to ensure the patient’s safety. Our study aimed to determine whether an innovative model, using Patient Engagement Specialists (PES) improves care for hospitalized older adults [...]

Background: The number of individuals with dementia in the U.S., currently estimated at 5.3 million, is projected to triple by 2050. For patients with cognitive impairment, the unfamiliar and stressful hospital environment often requires constant observation (CO) to ensure patient safety. The use of constant observation (CO) in the hospital setting, while originating in patients [...]

Case Presentation: A 57-year-old male patient with a previous history of alcohol use was brought in by his family for progressive myoclonus and confusion. At baseline, this patient performed activities of daily living with ease. He had no history of neurologic disorders, however his mother had been diagnosed with dementia in her 70s. Over the [...]

Case Presentation: A 70 year-old woman with hyperthyroidism, hypertension and diabetes presented with subacute progressive altered mental status and frequent falls. History obtained from family revealed a previously independently functioning woman until 4 months prior, when she began to demonstrate symptoms of forgetfulness and micrographia. Symptoms progressed rapidly requiring an inpatient psychiatric admission, a month [...]