Dementia

Question 1

What are the different types of dementia?

Answer 1

Alzheimer’s, fronto-temporal dementia, dementia with lewy bodies, vascular dementia

Question 2

What is the epidemiology of dementia?

Answer 2

1 in 3 will develop dementia. Currently 1 in 14 have dementia. More common in women as women life longer, generally

Question 3

Why is dementia expensive?

Answer 3

Patients tend to live for a while with dementia and need residential/social care which is expensive

Question 4

What are the symptoms of dementia which affects peoples lives?

Answer 4

• Day to day memory,
• COncentrating, planning and organising,
• Orientation,
• Visuospatial skills,
• Language and communication problems,
  Mood

Question 5

What are the main symptoms of early stage alzheimers?

Answer 5

• Forgetfulness,
• Getting lost,
• Mislaying items,
• Struggling to find words,
• Judging distance wrong,
• Poor judgement,
• Difficulty thinking through something complex,
• Change in mood.

Question 6

What are the middle stage symptoms of Alzheimer’s?

Answer 6

• More forgetful,
• Behavioural changes (depression, agitation, anxiety),
• Failing to recognise people,
• Safety issues,
• Communicating challenges,
• Getting times, places, events wrong. - getting lost

Question 7

What are the symptoms of late stage Alzheimer’s?

Answer 7

• Unaware of time/place,
• Communication challenges,
• NOT recognising familiar faces,
• Further behavioural changes,
• Mobility problems,
• Incontinence,
• Need assistance in eating

Question 8

What are the reasons for caregiving for someone with dementia?

Answer 8

• Emotional bod with person,
• Sense of duty or obligation,
• No alternative.

Question 9

What are some of the positives of caregiving?

Answer 9

Satisfaction of role, strengthening of family relationships, increased sense of self worth and the challenges and rewards

Question 10

What are the negatives of caregiving?

Answer 10

Psychological impact (strain, burden, burnout, depression and anxiety) and shifting roles, social isolation, family conflict, physical impacts (chronic stress, immunosuppressant and musculoskeletal)

Question 11

What support is available for caregivers?

Answer 11

• Respite care (day care, in-home companionship, brief in patient stays),
• Psychological interventions (support groups and interventions)
• Occupational therapy (assists with personal care training, improve safety, advise carers, info on accessing support)