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Who you are, where she is, what day it is

Illustrated Story A06, with a text transcript.

Read story A06: Who you are, where she is, what day it is (image and text)
Four-panel illustrated story. Karen tells Mum who she is, that Mum is in hospital with a chest infection and that it is Wednesday morning. When Mum asks how long she has been there, Karen says two days and reassures her that she is being looked after. Karen opens the curtains to daylight. Bottom line: Delirium: tell her, don’t quiz her.

A calm, short explanation can help someone with delirium: say who you are, where they are and why, and what day it is. Repeat it when needed without turning the conversation into a family quiz.

Staff are responsible for checking the person for delirium. Families can offer familiar reassurance, daylight and reminders of who is with them and where they are while responding to the person’s questions.

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Story text

  1. Panel 1. Say who you are. Don’t test her.

    • Karen: Hello Mum. It’s Karen, your daughter.

  2. Panel 2.

    • Karen: You’re in the hospital. You had a chest infection. It’s Wednesday morning.
    • Mum: Wednesday…

  3. Panel 3. Answer the same question as many times as it is asked.

    • Mum: Have I been here long?
    • Karen: Two days. You’re in hospital, and we’re looking after you.

  4. Panel 4. Daylight and a calm voice both help.

    • Karen: Look, it’s a lovely morning.

Bottom band. Delirium: tell her, don’t quiz her.

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