DEMENTIA

Question 1

How does Alzheimer’s effect the brain?

Answer 1

proteins build up causing structures called plagues and tangles to form

this leads to the loss of nerve connections and eventually the death of nerve cells and brain tissue

Question 2

common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 2

people may:

lose items
struggle to find words to use in sentences
forget about recent conversations or events
get lost in a familiar place or journey

Question 3

describe some more developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 3

reasoning, perception and communication issues such as:

language
visuospatial (judging distance, seeing objects in 3D etc)
concentration (indecisive, problem solving etc)
orientation (confusion)
delusions

Question 4

what is mixed dementia?

Answer 4

suffering from more than one type of Dementia

Question 5

the most common type of mixed dementia

Answer 5

Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular Dementia

Question 6

basic description of vascular dementia

Answer 6

this is caused by a lack of blood supply to the brain

this deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients

Question 7

basic description of dementia with Lewy Bodies

Answer 7

characterised by abnormal protein deposits called Lewy Bodies which appear in the brain stem and nerve cells

Question 8

basic description of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 8

a chronic, progressive neurological condition

symptoms include:

tremors, muscle stiffness, speech problems

Question 9

basic description of frontotemporal dementia

Answer 9

this disease affects the front and temporal lobes of the brain, which can cause declines in social skills, emotional apathy and behavioural changes

Question 10

define apathy

Answer 10

lack of interest or concern

Question 11

what do people associate ‘home’ with?

Answer 11

a peaceful, safe and idyllic place where they were happy and comfortable

Question 12

why may a person with dementia want to ‘go home’

Answer 12

because of feelings of anxiety, depression, fear or insecurity

Question 13

key techniques for comforting someone who wants to ‘go home’

Answer 13

don’t argue about whether they are home or not
reassure them of their safety
find the root cause behind their feelings (address them)
try diverting the conversation

Question 14

4 steps to the Vera framework

Answer 14

validate
emotion
reassure
action

Question 15

Vera validate

Answer 15

a genuine acceptance of the person at face value

Question 16

Vera emotion

Answer 16

listening and acknowledging the emotional content of the communication, and matching the an emotional response to it

Question 17

Vera reassure

Answer 17

seek to reduce a persons distress by practicing optimism and kindness

Question 18

Vera action

Answer 18

provide a solution to offer a degree of occupation

Question 19

why is it important to offer occupation to people with Dementia?

Answer 19

people who carry out occupation can promote a sense of self worth and fulfilment

Question 20

what is important to remember when people with dementia experience a different reality?

Answer 20

appreciate that most of the time, these experiences and feelings often have a deeper meaning behind them.

for example: thinking a lost relative is coming to see them later on. This could be a call for companionship.

Question 21

top 3 Dementia communication tips

Answer 21

eye contact from the front
speak slowly in clear sentences
close the conversation

Question 22

top 3 Dementia mealtime tips

Answer 22

slow down, there’s no rush
sit and chat with residents
equal service for rooms

Question 23

top 3 Dementia engagement tips

Answer 23

offer occupation
use motivating conversations
smile