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Family Delirium Guide

Delirium (Acute Confusion): A Family Guide to Sudden Changes in Thinking and Memory

New book – publishing October 2026 Delirium (Acute Confusion): A Family Guide to Sudden Changes in Thinking and Memory – Includes advice for people living with dementia

By Professor Alasdair MacLullich and Dr Sharmella Summan

About the Book

When a loved one suddenly becomes confused or behaves unusually, it can feel overwhelming and frightening. In this clear and reassuring guide, Professor Alasdair MacLullich and Dr Sharmella Summan explain what delirium (acute confusion) is, why it happens, and how you can help.

Drawing on Professor MacLullich’s three decades of experience caring for patients and their families, and Dr Summan’s perspective as both a doctor and someone who experienced severe delirium while in intensive care, the co-authors provide practical advice for navigating hospital stays, communicating with healthcare staff, and supporting your loved one’s recovery. This guide covers delirium in all settings, including at home, in care homes, and in the ICU, with special advice for those caring for someone with dementia.

About the authors

Professor Alasdair MacLullich is a doctor and Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He is a global expert in delirium. Alasdair developed the widely-used 4AT delirium assessment tool now recommended in guidelines worldwide, from the UK’s NICE to the American Psychiatric Association. He also co-founded World Delirium Awareness Day and the European Delirium Association. With over 200 scientific publications and decades of caring for older adults, his mission is to help patients, families, and carers better understand delirium and dementia.

Dr Sharmella Summan is a doctor who has cared for people with delirium and experienced severe delirium herself while in intensive care. She brings clinical knowledge and personal experience to the guide.