Dementia

Question 1

What is Dementia?

Answer 1

Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a term used to describe impaired ability to remember, think or make decisions and that interferes with everyday activities.

Question 2

What are the 5 main causes of dementia?

Answer 2

Alzheimers Disease (60%)
Dementia with Lewdy bodies (15%)
Vascular Dementia (15%)
Frontotemporal Dementia (5%)
Other/Mixed (5%)

Question 3

What is Alzheimers Disease?

Answer 3

Inside the brain neurofibrillary tangles disrupt brain cell communication and cause necrosis. Also a shortage of key neurotransmitters.

Question 4

What is Dementia with Lewy bodies?

Answer 4

Similar to Alzheimers. Accumulation of proteins (called lewy bodies) in nerve cells in part of brain that takes care of movement, thinking and memory. Causes necrosis.

Question 5

What is Vascular Dementia?

Answer 5

Caused by poor bloody supply to brain.

Categorised as either:

• Post-stroke dementia
• Multi-infarct dementia
• Subcortical dementia

Symptoms similar to Alzheimer

Question 6

What is Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)?

Answer 6

Rare.
Caused by proteins inside nerve cells in frontal/ temporal lobes.

Results in altered behaviour and language.

Question 7

What are some typical dementia S&S?

Answer 7

• Loss of Orientation
• Aphasia
• Not recognising known faces
• Mobility issues
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Misinterpreting colours

Question 8

What are some ways dementia impacts on others?

Answer 8

• Carers become isolated
• It can change relationships (stress)
• Financial Cost
• It impacts psychological & Physical Heath

Question 9

What can you do to reduce risk of dementia?

Answer 9

Mange risk factors

• physical activity
• healthy eating
• Not smoking
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Exercising the mind

Question 10

Early diagnosis intervention is really important in dementia, why?

Answer 10

Early diagnosis leads to:

• Decreases institutionalisation likelihood
• Reduce behavioural disturbance
• improves quality of life

Question 11

What resource is a good guide for making a home dementia friendly?

Answer 11

‘Making your home Dementia Friendly’

Produced by Alzheimers Society

Question 12

What are the health implications of loneliness?

Answer 12

• Increases likelihood of mortality 26%
• Increases risk of CAD & Stroke
• Increase risk of High BP
• Increase risk of disability
• Higher falls risk