People with dementia are high users of acute hospital services. Between 20% and 25% of inpatients aged 70 years and older and 47% of inpatients aged 90 years and older have a diagnosis of dementia. 1 In 2009-2010, dementia accounted for 83 226 hospitalisations in Australia (1 in every 100) and was the principal diagnosis for 12 286 patients (1 in every 1000). 2 For hospitalisations in which dementia was the primary diagnosis, delirium was also present for 17% of diagnoses. 2 For an individual with dementia, hospitalisation is associated with adverse events, including falls, malnutrition, dehydration, skin injury, increased length of hospital stay and delirium. 2 The prevalence of delirium in older hospitalised patients ranges from 14% to 56%. 3 However, the risk of delirium is increased for those with dementia or pre-existing cognitive impairment, ranging from 22% to 89%. Delirium is characterised by an acute decline in cognition, attention and level of consciousness. 3 Delirium can trigger negative events including functional decline, caregiver burden, increased morbidity and mortality, and increased health-care costs. 3 Although delirium is a common, burdensome condition, it may be preventable amongst older hospitalised patients. 4