237 Dementia Awareness

1. Understand what dementia is

1.1 Explain what is meant by the term 'dementia'

Dementia is a disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury. It is marked
by memory disorders, personality changes and impaired reasoning.

1.2 Describe the key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia.

Key functions that are affected by dementia are: movement like they might be a lot slower in
their reactions then what they used to be, Personality they could be nice one minute then can
completely turn, Balance they might not be as steady on their feet as they used to be, short
term memory which could mean that they might be stuck in the past and does not realise that
their life has changed also their speech could be affected like they might not be able to
explain what they are feeling as they cant find the right words to express themselves.

1.3 Explain why depression, delirium and age related memory impairment
may be mistaken for dementia.

Depression, delirium and age related memory impairment might be mistaken for dementia
because they all have similar symptoms. The only difference is that depression and delirium
can be treated by anti-depressants.

2. Understand key features of the theoretical models of dementia.

2.1 Outline the medical model of dementia.

The medical model of dementia relates to the clinical approach for example how changes
occur within the brain and managing the condition with medication.

2.2 Outline the social model of dementia.

The social model of dementia is about the person and how it affects the individuals. It seeks
to understand the emotions and behaviors of the person with dementia.

2.3 Explain why dementia should be viewed as a disability.

Dementia should be viewed as a disability because people with dementia are not aware of
requirements for living. They can forget to do basic things like eating food or drinking.
Considering these facts that they can not act in the manner of a responsible adult makes
them disabled.
3. Know the most common types of dementia and their causes.

3.1 List the most common causes of dementia

Alzheimer’s: is the most common cause of dementia. During the course of the disease, the
chemistry and structure of the brain changes, leading to the death of brain cells.
Vascular Dementia: If the oxygen supply to the brain fails, brain cells may die. The symptoms
of vascular dementia can occur either suddenly, following a stroke, or over time, through a
series of small strokes.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies: This form of dementia gets its name from tiny spherical
structures that develop inside nerve cells. Their presence in the brain leads to the
degeneration of brain tissue.
Fronto-Temporal Dementia: damage is usually focused in the front part of the brain.
Personality and behavior are initially more affected than memory.

3.2 Describe the likely signs and symptoms of the most common causes of
dementia.

Signs and symptoms are: memory loss such as they cant remember where they are, difficulty
saying the right words like they know what they want to say but can say it, changes in
personality like they can suddenly turn really aggressive.

3.3 Outline the risk factors for the most common causes of dementia.

Risk factors for dementia are: age, heart attack, strokes, brain damage, high cholesterol,
diabetes and smoking.

3.4 Identify prevalence rates for different types of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease: 62%

Vascular dementia: 17%
Mixed dementia: 10%
Lewy-Body dementia: 4%
Fronto-Temporal dementia: 2%
Parkinson's Dementia: 2%
Other: 3%

4. Understand factors relating to an individual's experience of dementia.

4.1 Describe how different individual may experience living with dementia
depending on age, type of dementia and level of ability and disability.

Depending on the type of dementia peoples ability will be different. For example people with
front-temporal dementia might be less forgetful than a person with Alzheimer. Dementia with
lewy- bodies interrupts the brain's normal function and affects the persons memory,
concentration and speech skills, it has similar symptoms to Parkinson disease such as
tremors, slowness of movement and speech difficulties. People with vascular dementia may
suffer fro, incontinence or seizures where others types of dementia may not have these
symptoms. The level of ability depends on the individual age and condition of dementia.

4.2 Outline the impact that the attitudes and behaviors of others may have
on an individual with dementia.

The impact that the attitudes and behaviors of others may have on an individual with
dementia could be the individual will feel scared so could hit out at people who could be
laughing, talking negative about the individual. We have to remember just because they have
dementia does not mean they dont have feelings like everybody else.