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Being diagnosed with dementia will affect people in different ways. The service user could become withdrawn and depressed, this will affect their well-being and how they look after and treat them self’s. They can start to self-harm or neglect them self’s through personal hygiene or through there eating, eating too much or too little. They may even become so depressed and down in mood

A4) Describe the impact the behaviours of carers and others may have on an individual with dementia.

1.2 Compare the experience of dementia for an individual who has acquired it as an older person with the experience of an individual who has

1.2 Explain how physical and mental health factors may need to be consider when communicating with an individual who has dementia.

- Describe how cognitive functional and emotional changes associated with dementia can affect eating drinking and nutrition:

2. Explain how positive interactions with individuals who have dementia can contribute to their wellbeing.

Even diet or illness can affect their abilities or needs. One day a person with dementia will remember, and be quite able, to complete certain tasks but then may be incapable another. This is not their choice it is because the brain is a very complex organ and the chemical changes vary from person to person. The information is still in the memory but the neurotransmitters are able to send messages one day but maybe not the next. If an individual has a water infection they may be more confused and their needs go up whilst their abilities go down. Medication may produce more hallucinations or tremors therefore once again their needs are increased.

Individuals diagnosed with dementia have to face with the prospect of gradual loss of the capacity to make their own decisions. They need to think about and make their choises about care, treatment and money when they are not able to speak for themselves at some time in the future.

There is a need to identify the level and type of support an individual requires when eating and drinking. Any support while eating or drinking is to be provided respecting the service user’s human dignity, while the carer is exhibiting warmth and a calm attitude. The care plan informs whether the service user is able to feed him/herself, or needs assistance. Many service users will feed themselves when starting their meal, but will get tired and will then require assistance. The hands of service users with Parkinson’s may have to be gently directed so that they manage eating independently. The carer may need to cut the food for the service user. Service users with chewing difficulties, or swallowing precautions, or a history of choking need to be supervised while eating. Of course, these service users will also get a soft diet. Service users living with dementia may reject food which to them resembles to gruesome things (e.g., they may think meat bits in a dark sauce are cocroaches), therefore person-centered support is important. Service users with learning disabilities may find it hard to estimate distances, so the carer will make sure plates and glasses are well within their reach.

Unit-1, Q1. Explain what is meant by the term `dementia' Unit-1, Q2. Describe how dementia can affect a person if the following areas of the brain are damaged by dementia Frontal lobe: Parietal lobe: Temporal lobe: Occipital lobe: Cerebellum: Unit-1, Q3.Explain why the following may be mistaken for dementia a) depression b) delirium c) age related memory impairment Unit-1, Q4. Give an outline of the following models of dementia a) The medical model of dementia b) The social model of dementia Unit-1, Q5. Explain why it is important to see dementia as a disability Unit-1, Q6. List the four most common causes of dementia Unit-1, Q7. Describe the signs and symptoms associated with the four most common causes of dementia Unit-1, Q8. Outline

People who suffer from dementia may also be at risk of mal-nutrition. People with dementia rely on others to help them to organise their day to day life such as preparing their meals. People with dementia are at risk of mal-nutrition as they may not be physically able to provide themselves with a balanced diet, there may also be the issue that they are not able to remember whether they have eaten and therefore decide not to make themselves

Boredom and frustration are the two most common causes of challenging behaviour in with dementia. Taking part in a physical or mental activity can provide a welcome distraction from the stresses of the illness and can help to focus them on the positive and fun aspects of life. Activity can be as simple as holding a conversation, singing or going for a walk and discussing what is seen.

1) describe how cognitive, functional and emotional changes with dementia can affect eating, drinking and nutrition.

Dementia effects your memory and a person’s ability to achieve a normal everyday task and activities.

Health and emotional conditions such as depression can lead to a loss of appetite as well as a lack of interest in food and drinks. Being depressed can make them want to be on their own, becoming socially isolated can affect their nutritional needs as they won’t feel like eating. A person with dementia may use up extra calories due to increased activity such as if they are agitated, restless, through wandering and pacing making their nutritional needs change. Forgetting to eat or not remembering if they have eaten will change their nutritional needs, be it increasing/decreasing their intake, lastly paranoia can make them suspicious of food.