Dementia is a loss of brain function. If affects memory, thinking, language, judgement and behaviour. Dementia is progressive, so the symptoms will gradually get worse. In a later stage of dementia people will find it hard to carry out daily tasks and will come dependant on other people.
According to O’Brien (2013) Dementia is a broad term of symptoms resulting in a number of disorders that affect the brain. These include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and dementia with lewy
A proper diagnosis of dementia is essential, in order to rule out other conditions that may have symptoms similar to dementia and that may be treatable, including depression, chest and urinary infections, severe constipation and brain tumours . Also to rule out other possible causes of confusion, such as poor sight or hearing; emotional changes and upsets, such as moving or bereavement; or the side-effects of certain drugs or combinations of drugs. Folllow up diagnosis can enable a patient to access advice, information and support
Vascular Dementia can occur after a person has a stroke due to major blood vessels being blocked.
The person may become confused when handling money and undergo personality changes, appearing to no longer care about those around them. Swings are common and the person may become tearful for no apparent reason, or become convinced that someone is trying to harm them.In advanced cases people may also adopt unsettling behaviour like getting up in the middle of the night or wander off and become lost. Some people lose their inhibitions and sense of what is acceptable behaviour, undress in public or make inappropriate sexual advances. The person may become incontinent, have difficulty eating and drinking and may become completely dependent on others.2. Symptoms usually develop suddenly and progress in a step like way where a sudden worsening is followed by a period of stabilisation. Common symptoms include poor concentration and difficulties with communication. memory loss may also lead to confusion.As vascular dementia does not affect all of the brain, the individual may be able to retain more of their abilities and memory loss may not appear until later in the progression of the disease. This means that the individual may be more aware of their deteriorating health and may therefore be more at risk of depression.3. Dementia with Lewy Bodies is a
The difference between these types depends on what has caused the damage in the brain and which part of the brain has been damaged. Common signs and symptoms of vascular dementia may include:
Dementia is a collective term for diseases that are related to mental decline. It is an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated to memory
Dementia symptoms most commonly observed by people would be memory loss and an inability to complete simple mental activities such as adding or subtracting or remembering where things were placed, or a difference in a person’s normal behavior. There are times that a person without dementia will experience similar symptoms but, the difference is if these symptoms persist and do not go away after a period of time. Dementia isn’t something that happens quickly it is an illness that gets progressively worse as time passes. When a person that is effected with these symptoms
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
Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body disease, a series of strokes or even a group of symptoms which may result from brain injury, vitamin/hormonal imbalance, drugs and alcohol. These diseases have factors in common and can cause a person to have their mental
1.Understand what dementia is 1.1 Explain what is meant by the term 'dementia' A syndrome due to disease of the brain, usually of a chronic progressive nature in which there are multiple disturbances of higher cognitive function. These include impairment of memory, thinking and orientation, learning ability, language and judgement. 1.2 Describe the key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia The key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia are the temporal lobe, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital, cerebrum lobe and the hippocampus. Temporal lobe- responsible for vision,memory, language, hearing and learning Frontal lobe- responsible for decision making, problem solving, control behaviour and
Dementia is a word used to describe a group of symptoms including memory loss, confusion , mood changes, and difficulty with day-to -day task. There are many causes of dementia wit Alzhaimer`s the most common.
The diagnosis for Alzheimer’s is far from simple. Alzheimer’s begins when a patient reaches the final step of Dementia. There are many disorders that can impact the cause of Alzheimer’s. Neurological disorders include strokes, blood clots, and brain tumors that can be related to dementia. Psychiatric disorders also affect the way Alzheimer’s develops. Elderly people with forms of depression may show even earlier signs of Alzheimer’s such as impaired thinking. Lastly, Trauma can be a factor in Alzheimer patients. Head injuries can cause blood clots in and around the brain (Medicine).
The term dementia is used to describe an illness that affects the memory. Patients can suffer from forgetfulness, loss of memory and the inability to remember new information. As well as being unable to speak and be understood by others and be unable to carry out general tasks. Patients can also suffer from mood changes and all reasoning. This all has an effect on daily routines and people become unable to look after themselves properly and manage their own personal care.