Dementia

Question 1

What is dementia?

Answer 1

an acquired progressive loss of cognitive functions, intellectual and social abilities

Question 2

dementia characteristics/signs

Answer 2

amnesia
- especially for recent events
inability to concentrate
disorientation in time, place or person
intellectual impairment

also commonly accompanied by deterioration in
- emotional control
- social behaviour
- motivation

Question 3

types of dementia

Answer 3

Alzheimers
Vascular
Frontotemporal
dementia with lewy bodies

Question 4

How is Alzheimers caused?

Answer 4

reduction in size of the Cortex
Plaques (deposits of beta-amyloid protein) build up in spaces between nerve cells
tangles (twisted fibres of tau protein) built up inside cells

Question 5

Alzheimer’s distinctive features

Answer 5

aphasia
communication difficulties
muddled over everyday activities
mood swings
withdrawn behaviour
loss of confidence

Question 6

The most common form of dementia is…

Answer 6

Alzheimer’s (60%)

Question 7

Alzheimer’s risk factors

Answer 7

age
gender
- women > men
head injury
lifestyle
- smoking
- hypertension
- low folate and high blood cholesterol
genetic
- abnormalities on chromosome 1, 14 or 21

Question 8

How is vascular dementia caused?

Answer 8

reduced blood flor to the brain, which damages and eventually kills the brain cells
can develop as a result of
- small vessel disease
- a single large stroke
- lots of mini strokes

Question 9

distinctive features of vascular dementia

Answer 9

memory problem of sudden onset
visuospatial difficulties
anxiety
delusions
seizures

Question 10

dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by…

Answer 10

deposits of an abnormal protein called Lewy bodies inside brain cells
- also found in people with Parkinson’s

Question 11

Dementia with lewy Bodies - distinctive features

Answer 11

cognitive ability fluctuates
visuospatial difficulties
overlapping motor disorders
speech and swallowing problems
sleep disorders
delusions

Question 12

dementia risk factors

Answer 12

age
gender
genetic background
medical history
lifestyle

Question 13

give at least 3 features of a dementia friendly healthcare environment

Answer 13

reception desk visible from entrance door
ceilings, floors and floor coverings should be acoustically absorbent to support audible communication
colour and tone of walls should be distinctive from flooring
colour and tone of furniture should be distinctive from flooring
avoid non-essential signs
any signage should be at eye level with simple clear use of text and colour
ensure good levels of natural light
any staff only or locked rooms should be coloured the same as walls to avoid attention