Skip to content
DeliriumSupportGet help now
MenuClose
Get help now

Home / Stories / Story B13

He knows this routine

Illustrated Story B13, with a text transcript.

Read story B13: He knows this routine (image and text)
Eight-panel illustrated story, He knows this routine. Aziz, an older British Pakistani man with dementia, usually follows a familiar dressing routine. During a new illness he becomes confused and pulls back from care. His daughter describes the change and explains that one short step at a time helps. The doctor plans assessment, and the nurse adapts her approach. Aziz accepts help with a cardigan, though confusion remains. Footer: Delirium with dementia still needs a search for new causes.

Delirium can occur in someone who already has dementia. A change from their usual abilities or behaviour still needs a doctor or nurse to check what is wrong.

Families often know small things that help: a familiar phrase, a slower pace, the order of a routine, or how the person shows pain. Share that knowledge with staff. It can help make care easier to understand while the team looks for and treats the new problems. A doctor or nurse still needs to check the person.

Open full-size story

Story text

  1. Panel 1. Aziz has dementia. This routine is familiar.

  2. Panel 2. A new illness. A sudden change.

    • Aziz: Leave me alone.

  3. Panel 3.

    • Farah: He could follow this yesterday. Today he can’t.

  4. Panel 4.

    • Doctor: We’ll assess the change and check for discomfort.

  5. Panel 5.

    • Farah: One short step at a time usually helps.

  6. Panel 6.

    • Nurse: Aziz, shall we put your cardigan on?

  7. Panel 7. A slower approach helps with this task.

  8. Panel 8.

    • Nurse: Please tell us what else usually helps.

Bottom band. Delirium with dementia still needs a search for new causes.

Back to all Stories