Delirium is an acute change in mental status. Look for a trigger such as acute illness, surgery, injury or medicine effects, including when dementia is already present.

Early recurrent falls, rapid progression or other atypical features can raise concern for a Parkinson-plus syndrome. Review the history and examination and seek specialist input.

Identify and treat contributing causes while providing supportive, person-centred care. Do not treat antipsychotics as routine delirium management.

When the person is unable to make their own healthcare decisions. Appointment is formal, and the role’s name and legal process differ across Australian states and territories.

Assess and manage cognition, pain, nutritional status and frailty as part of timely care, using the locally endorsed hip-fracture pathway.

Adverse effects of medicines can trigger delirium. Compare new symptoms with medication changes while also evaluating other acute medical causes.

A locally endorsed hip-fracture pathway should guide timely assessment and management, including attention to cognition, pain, nutrition and frailty.

Reflecting on values and preferences for future care, discussing them with loved ones and clinicians, and documenting them where appropriate while the person can communicate choices.

Provide timely post-fall assessment and care, then review possible reasons and consequences. Use findings to update the person’s prevention and care plan.

Instead of agitation, a person may appear quiet, withdrawn or less engaged. A new change from baseline should prompt delirium assessment and a search for causes.

The Australian Government resource reports that for most people with dementia, psychotropic medicines for behaviours and psychological symptoms may be inappropriate and can cause harm.

Look for an acute change suggesting delirium superimposed on dementia. Establish baseline with collateral history and assess for acute illness, injury and medication effects.

Identify risk early and use a validated tool to screen for cognitive impairment, or obtain a current score for known impairment. This supports recognition of change.

Falls can have lasting effects on health and independence. Individualised prevention supports wellbeing and person-centred care across home, hospital and aged-care settings.

Consider balance, mobility, medicines, vision, footwear and the care environment. Partner with the person to choose strategies that address their individual risks.

Frailty is included in the standard’s presentation assessment alongside cognition, pain and nutrition, helping make care responsive to the person’s wider needs.