cognitive key question Flashcards
what is dementia?
- syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning
- problems in the brain that cause information processing difficulties, memory problems and everyday functioning
what are some of the symptoms of dementia?
- loss of memory
- cognitive deficits e.g. difficulty understanding and confusion
- depression
- mood swings
what is typical age of onset of dementias?
- 1 in 14 aged over 65
how many people are currently diagnosed with dementia?
- over 55 million people worldwide
which gender is more affected by dementias?
- women
- twice as many women get alzheimers
what is the mortality rate of dementia?
- responsible for 1 in 3 senior deaths
why is this an important question in regards to cost?
- cost of dementia to the UK = £26 billion a year
- may manage at home but need support or may be patients in NHS
how is the community used to help people with dementia?
- people in community asked to be dementia friends
- be understanding and helpful
what is the government doing to offer support to those with dementia?
- dementia hubs
- can be referred here if dementia is suspected
- can focus more on acute dementia care in hospitals
why is a diagnosis useful for those with dementia?
- get the right treatment and support
- help them prepare for the future
- many people can then lead to active fulfilled lives
how is the care given by carers impacted?
- understanding of impact the condition has on the person
- how they may think and feel and how it affects behaviour
what is it important to focus on with patients with dementia?
- each person is unique with their own life history and personality
- important to focus on what the person still has not what they have lost
what are some coping strategies?
- practical =setting up reminders or prompts, preparing advance decisions or power of attourney
- social strategies = relying on family help
- health improvements = healthy diet and exercise
what is cognitive stimulation therapy?
- stimulates the mind
- group work to discuss and solve puzzles often linked to memories
- works best for mild to moderate
- slow down the process of the disease and reduce stress and loneliness
what is validation therapy?
- rather than trying to bring the person back to reality but enter their reality
- builds trust and a sense of security, reduces anxiety
how does the WMM explain dementia?
- dementia patients may struggle when trying to do two tasks at the same time …
how does the MSM explain dementia?
- may forget what they have just been told due to issues encoding
- doesnt transfer to LTM
what is an alternative explanation of biological treatments?
- medicines have been developed to temporarily alleviate symptoms or slow progression
- in alzheimers there is a loss of the nerve cells that use acetylcholine which links to worsening symptoms = drugs to slow the breakdown of acetylcholine
what do we use for evaluation for the key question?
- any evaluation for each of the theories e.g. case studies such as HM and KF or studies such as war of the ghosts
