CHICAGO: A hospital wants to innovate with the introduction of the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) – designed to prevent delirium and related complications, such as dehydration, falls and bedsores. It can save more than $800 per patient per year in hospital costs, plus thousands more in skilled nursing home costs, according to the center which oversees HELP.
More than 200 hospitals worldwide now use the program, most of the volunteers are students, many of them preparing for health care careers.
They get at least 20 hours of training and generally volunteer one three-hour shift each week.
Some patients have dementia, chronic memory loss that is different from delirium. Others have dehydration, difficulty sleeping or impaired vision, hearing or mobility, which puts them at higher risk for delirium.
Volunteers tailor activities to patients, with interactions ranging from conversation and meal assistance to exercise and massage…