Dementia

Question 1

What are the causes of dementia?

Answer 1

Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia and dementia with lewy bodies

Question 2

What are the symptoms of Lewy bodies?

Answer 2

Fluctuating cognition with pronounced variation in attention and alertness.

Question 3

What symptoms are prominent in dementia with Lewy bodies?

Answer 3

Visual hallucinations, Parkinsonism, delusions and transient loss of consciousness

Question 4

How common is dementia?

Answer 4

It affects 10% over 65 and 20% of those over 80

Question 5

What should you specifically ask about?

Answer 5

Activities of daily living, ability to cope with tasks such as financial affairs and medications

Question 6

Is there anyone I can ask for help to help with all the different medical teams?

Answer 6

A care coordinator is available via social services and can coordinate the various teams and services at various times

Question 7

Is there any special help I can get as a carer?

Answer 7

You can get laundry services for soiled linens, car badge for priority parking, carers groups, attendance allowance, respite care in hospital, day care/lunch clubs, council tax rebates

Question 8

Is there anything I can do planning ahead?

Answer 8

Advanced directive for the future would be useful

Question 9

Is there anything I can physically do to help?

Answer 9

Develop routines as they help the patient remember and help to maintain independence for longer

Question 10

How do I handle the challenging behaviour?

Answer 10

First rule out the pain and infection as the cause of the worsening behaviour. If that fails use lorazepam