cognitive key question

Question 1

what is dementia?

Answer 1

• syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning
• problems in the brain that cause information processing difficulties, memory problems and everyday functioning

Question 2

what are some of the symptoms of dementia?

Answer 2

• loss of memory
• cognitive deficits e.g. difficulty understanding and confusion
• depression
• mood swings

Question 3

what is typical age of onset of dementias?

Answer 3

• 1 in 14 aged over 65

Question 4

how many people are currently diagnosed with dementia?

Answer 4

• over 55 million people worldwide

Question 5

which gender is more affected by dementias?

Answer 5

• women
• twice as many women get alzheimers

Question 6

what is the mortality rate of dementia?

Answer 6

• responsible for 1 in 3 senior deaths

Question 7

why is this an important question in regards to cost?

Answer 7

• cost of dementia to the UK = £26 billion a year
• may manage at home but need support or may be patients in NHS

Question 8

how is the community used to help people with dementia?

Answer 8

• people in community asked to be dementia friends
• be understanding and helpful

Question 9

what is the government doing to offer support to those with dementia?

Answer 9

• dementia hubs
• can be referred here if dementia is suspected
• can focus more on acute dementia care in hospitals

Question 10

why is a diagnosis useful for those with dementia?

Answer 10

• get the right treatment and support
• help them prepare for the future
• many people can then lead to active fulfilled lives

Question 11

how is the care given by carers impacted?

Answer 11

• understanding of impact the condition has on the person
• how they may think and feel and how it affects behaviour

Question 12

what is it important to focus on with patients with dementia?

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

what are some coping strategies?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

what is cognitive stimulation therapy?

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

what is validation therapy?

Answer 15

• rather than trying to bring the person back to reality but enter their reality
• builds trust and a sense of security, reduces anxiety

Question 16

how does the WMM explain dementia?

Answer 16

• dementia patients may struggle when trying to do two tasks at the same time …

Question 17

how does the MSM explain dementia?

Answer 17

• may forget what they have just been told due to issues encoding
• doesnt transfer to LTM

Question 18

what is an alternative explanation of biological treatments?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

what do we use for evaluation for the key question?

Answer 19

• any evaluation for each of the theories e.g. case studies such as HM and KF or studies such as war of the ghosts