Dementia Flashcards
What is considered as old age according to WHO?
65 years old !
what tasks can people struggle with as they begin to age?
- mobility
- dexterity
- communication
- introduction of medical conditions
what do older people value?
- company and relationships
- time
- a desire to contribute to society
- someone listening
what is dementia?
A syndrome that causes a progressive deterioration in cognitive function beyond what might be expected from normal aging
what does dementia have an effect on??
- memory
- thinking
- orientation
- comprehension
- calculation
- learning capacity
- language
- judgement
What is dementia characterised by?
- amnesia (especially for recent events)
- inability to concentrate
- disorientation in time, place or person
- intellectual impairment
what will patients with dementia often have problems with?
- day to day memory
- concentration, planning or organisation
- language
- visuospacial skills
- orientation
- making decisions
In dementia patients, what commonly accompanies the impairment in cognitive function?
Deterioration in:
- emotional control
- social behaviour
- motivation
What is the most common type of dementia?
Alzheimer’s (60%)
What occurs in patients with alzheimer’s?
Reduction size of the cortex, sever in the hippocampus area
- plaques deposits in spaces between nerve cells
- tangles build up inside cells
What are the distinctive features of alzheimer’s?
- aphasia
- communication difficulties
- easily muddled
- mood swings
- withdrawn
- loss of confidence
What are lifestyle risk factors for the development of alzheimer’s?
- smoking
- hypertension
- low folate
- high blood cholesterol
what gender is more likely to develop alzheimer’s?
women
What genetic abnormalities can make patients more likely to develop alzheimer’s?
Abnormalities on chromosome 1, 14 or 21
What is vascular dementia?
Caused by a reduced blood flow to the brain, which damages & eventually kills the brain cells
