Dementia Flashcards
Neurocognitive
a term that is used to describe cognitive functions closely linked to particular areas of the brain that have to do with thinking, reasoning, memory, learning, and speaking
Dementia Definition
disease process marked by progressive cognitive impairment with no change in level of consciousness
Dementia: Onset
gradual and insidious
Dementia: Duration
progressive deterioration
Dementia: Speech
normal in early stage
-progressive aphasia in later stage
(deterioration of language functioning)
Dementia: Thought Process
impaired thinking, eventually loss of thinking abilities
Dementia: Perception
often absent
- can have paranoia, hallucinations, illusions
- agnosia: inability to recognize name of objects
Dementia: Mood
depressed and anxious in early stage
- labile mood
- restless
- pacing
- angry outbursts in later stages
Dementia: Executive Function
inability to think abstractly, and to plan, initiate, sequence, monitor, and stop complex behavior
Dementia: Memory
short and then long-term memory impaired. eventually destroyed
Aphasia
deterioration on language functioning
Apraxia
impaired ability to execute motor functions despite intact motor abilities
Agnosia
inability to recognize or name objects despite intact sensory abilities
Prominent Early Sign of Dementia?
Memory Impairment
-recent memory is impaired, then affects remote memory
Clients May Exhibit: Echolalia
echoing what is heard
Clients May Exhibit: Palilalia
repeating words or sounds over and over
Onset and Clinical Course: Mild
- Forgetfulness is hallmark
- exceeds the normal occasional forgetfulness that is part of aging
- has difficulty finding words, frequently loses objects, and begins to experience anxiety over loses
- may avoid occupational and social settings
- a modest impairment of performance that does not prevent independent living but may require some accommodation and assistance