"Dementia patients ku bed la serthu vaithiyam paarkalama?"

This is the most common question we get at Vazhikatti.

The truth is — most dementia cases don't need admission.
 But there are critical exceptions.

This blog explains when home care is enough and when inpatient admission is the best and safest step - for both patient and family.

When Dementia Doesn’t Need Admission.

Dementia is a progressive condition. Most symptoms like:

• Forgetfulness
   
• Difficulty doing tasks
   
• Mild confusion
   

...can be managed at home with regular outpatient (OP) care.

In most cases, we help families build routines and structure for the patient - without the need for hospitalization.

“Just because someone forgets or repeats things doesn’t mean they need to be admitted. We always assess whether the environment and family can support them first.”
 – Dr. K Selvaraj, Chief Consultant Psychiatrist at Vazhikatti

When Dementia + Psychosis = Emergency IP Care

Sometimes, dementia gets complicated by psychosis - a serious mental health condition.

Psychosis in dementia can look like:

• Suspicion that family members are trying to harm them
   
• Refusal to eat or drink, thinking food is poisoned
   
• Violent outbursts or hitting
   
• Attempting self-harm or suicide
   

These are red-flag behaviors.
 And in such cases, admission is not just helpful - it is essential.

The goal of admission is
 ✅ Ensure Safety.
 ✅ Stabilization.
 ✅ Dignity.

What Is Delirium? When Confusion Becomes a Crisis

Another emergency situation is Delirium - a sudden change in brain function.

In delirium, the patient:

• Doesn’t know where they are
   
• Doesn’t recognize people
   
• Loses track of time completely
   
• May talk or behave inappropriately
   

This confusion often comes suddenly and can worsen fast without treatment.

At Vazhikatti, we treat delirium with:

• 24x7 medical supervision
   
• Immediate psychiatric care
   
• Diagnostic testing to identify causes (e.g., infections, medication reactions)
   

When to Admit and When Not To

Not Sure What to Do? Speak to our experts!

Every case is different. The best decisions come from personal consultation.
Call : 75075 50050

FAQs

1. Is hospital admission permanent for dementia patients?
   Not at all. Most dementia-related admissions are short-term—just until symptoms stabilize.
2. Can psychosis or delirium be reversed?
    Yes. With proper medication, monitoring, and care, many symptoms improve dramatically in a few days.
3. What if I’m still unsure whether to bring them in?
    Call us. We’ll walk you through symptoms and decide together if admission is needed.