Dementia: its effects on Parents, Family and Carers

Question 1

What are the most common types of Dementia?

Answer 1

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Vascular Dementia
• Lewy Body Dementia
• Fronto-temporal dementia

Question 2

How many people live with dementia in the UK?

Answer 2

850,000 people

Question 3

How many people under the age of 65 have dementia under the age of 65?

Answer 3

Over 42000

- 5.2% of the total

Question 4

What is a major factor which is responsible for demntia to be more prevelant amongst women?

Answer 4

Women have a greater life expectancy

Question 5

What is the total cost of dementia estimated to be?

Answer 5

26.3 million (includes police time for missing persons)

Question 6

What are the factors which make up dementia

Answer 6

Generic term for:

• Intellectual function loss
• Loss in ability to do day to day activities
• Changes in personality and social behaviour

Question 7

How can dementia affect the individual?

Answer 7

Unique experience for everybody (especially in early stages):

• Day to day memory
• Mood
• Language / comminication problems
• Visuospatial skills
• Orientation
• Concentration, planning, organising

Question 8

What are the 3 main stages in alzheimers? (progressive nature to disease)

Answer 8

• Early stage
• Middle stage
• Late stage
  Not nessarily as straight forward and clear-cut
  Some symptoms like irratibilty may appear early on but may dissapear

Question 9

What are some symptoms of early ‘mild’ stages of dementia

Answer 9

• Forgetfulness
• Loss of interest
• Mislaying items
• Struggle judging distance/seeing objects in 3D
• Struggle to find words
• Poor judgement, hard to make plans/decisions
• Confusion/losing track of day
• Slower cognitive capacity

Question 10

What are some symptoms of the middle ‘moderate’ stages of dementia?

Answer 10

• More forgetful
• Fail to recognise people
• Time/place/events getting lost
• Need help with personal care
• Difficulties in daily activities
• Safety compromised
• Behavioural changes

Question 11

What are some symptoms of the late stage dementia? (usually total dependancy)

Answer 11

• Unaware of time/place
• Confusion/comprehension
• Not recognise familiar faces
• Weight loss/gain
• Incontinance
• Gradual loss of speech
• Need assistance in eating
• Mobility problems
• Behavioral changes
  Other symptoms worsening

Question 12

What may dementia patients in later stages respond to?

Answer 12

• Affection - soft speech
• Pets
• Music