Delirium is a serious, often sudden change in a person’s mental state that can affect thinking, perception, and awareness. It is common in older adults and people with underlying illness, yet it is frequently missed or misdiagnosed in care settings.
This free Delirium Awareness online course provides health and social care staff with the knowledge and confidence to recognise, prevent, and respond effectively to delirium. You will explore the causes, risk factors, symptoms, and management approaches that support recovery and improve outcomes for people experiencing delirium.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
Delirium can develop quickly — often within hours — and may signal a serious underlying condition. Prompt recognition and appropriate management can prevent complications, reduce hospital stays, and even save lives.
This course helps care professionals to:
- Recognise early signs and symptoms of delirium.
- Understand risk factors and causes, including medical and environmental triggers.
- Apply NICE and NHS guidance to assessment and prevention.
- Deliver person-centred care that supports comfort and recovery.
- Communicate effectively with families and professionals.
- Understand the legal and ethical aspects of delirium care, including the Mental Capacity Act.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Define delirium and its subtypes (hyperactive, hypoactive, and mixed).
- Identify the prevalence and impact of delirium in care settings.
- Describe the causes, risk factors, and underlying mechanisms of delirium.
- Recognise the clinical features and use validated screening tools such as the 4AT.
- Apply non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies to prevent and manage delirium.
- Understand the role of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in delirium care.
- Communicate sensitively with patients, families, and carers.
- Understand the link between delirium, capacity, and legal frameworks.
- Identify complications and long-term care needs associated with delirium.
- Reflect on best practice and national guidance to improve care quality.
Delirium Awareness Course Outline
Module 1: The Basics of Delirium
Learners will gain an understanding of what delirium is, including its key features and recognised subtypes. The module outlines the prevalence of delirium in older adults across care settings and its association with increased morbidity and mortality. Learners will appreciate why early recognition and management are essential to improving outcomes.
Module 2: Causes and Risk Factors
This module explores the underlying causes and risk factors for delirium, including medical, environmental, and medication-related triggers. Learners will review the pathophysiology models that explain how delirium develops and learn to identify individuals most at risk, such as those with dementia or severe illness.
Module 3: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Learners will identify the hallmark signs and symptoms of delirium, such as confusion, disorientation, and altered perception. The module covers key diagnostic tools and screening assessments, including structured approaches to evaluating patients suspected of delirium. Learners will build confidence in recognising and assessing delirium across settings.
Module 4: Prevention Strategies
This module focuses on preventing delirium through evidence-based approaches. Learners will examine non-pharmacological methods such as maintaining hydration, sleep hygiene, and sensory support, as well as the limited role of pharmacological interventions. Prevention is presented as a core element of compassionate, proactive care.
Module 5: Management and Treatment
Learners will explore practical strategies for managing delirium once it develops. The module highlights both non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches and emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork. Learners will understand how collaborative care supports safe recovery and enhances patient comfort.
Module 6: Communication and Legal Considerations
This module teaches how to communicate effectively with people experiencing delirium, as well as with relatives and carers. It explains how the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) apply when a person’s cognition is impaired. Learners will gain insight into balancing patient rights, safety, and dignity.
Module 7: Complications and Long-term Care
Learners will examine the common complications linked to delirium, such as falls, infections, and prolonged hospital stays. The module also presents strategies to reduce these risks, support rehabilitation, and improve long-term outcomes for individuals recovering from delirium.
Module 8: End-of-Life Care Considerations
This module explores the complex nature of delirium in palliative and end-of-life care. Learners will understand the high prevalence and poor prognosis associated with delirium in this context, alongside strategies to manage symptoms compassionately and support families through distressing situations.
Module 9: Applying Knowledge Through Case Studies
Learners will analyse real-world case studies to apply their understanding of delirium recognition, assessment, and management. The module reinforces practical decision-making, reflective learning, and collaborative approaches to care across acute, community, and residential settings.
Module 10: Best Practices and Updates
The final module reviews national guidelines and best practice standards, such as those from NHS England and NICE. Learners will explore recent research and evidence-based developments to maintain up-to-date knowledge and ensure their practice aligns with current professional standards.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Health and social care workers in hospitals, care homes, and community settings
- Nurses, care assistants, and allied health professionals
- Support workers and managers responsible for care delivery
- Students and trainees seeking foundational knowledge on delirium
No prior clinical experience is required — the course is accessible and relevant for all levels.
FAQ
How long does the course take?
Approximately 1 hour, depending on your learning pace.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. On completion, you’ll receive a Delirium Awareness Training Course certificate.
Is this course aligned with UK healthcare guidance?
Yes. The content follows current NHS England standards.
Is it suitable for care home staff as well as hospital workers?
Absolutely. The course includes examples from both community and hospital settings.
Can this course help with CQC inspection preparation?
Yes. Understanding delirium care and prevention is part of delivering safe, effective, and responsive services.
Delirium is often a sign that someone is seriously unwell, yet it remains under-recognised in many care environments. Early detection and person-centred intervention can make a life-changing difference to recovery and quality of life.
By completing this course, you’ll gain the understanding, awareness, and practical skills to recognise delirium early, respond appropriately, and improve outcomes for the people you support.
Enrol on the Delirium Awareness Training Course today.
Build confidence in identifying, preventing, and managing delirium — and help deliver safer, more compassionate care.
Delirium Awareness Training Course CPD Accredited and Government Funding
We’re working on getting this Delirium Awareness Training Course CPD accredited, and any course that’s approved will be clearly labelled as CPD accredited on the site. Not every health and social care course has to be accredited to help you meet CQC expectations – what matters is that staff are competent, confident and properly trained for their roles under Regulation 18. Our courses are built to support those requirements, and because they’re not government funded there are no eligibility checks or ID needed – you can enrol and start learning straight away.
