Dementia Revision Questions Flashcards
What does dementia affect?
memory thinking calculation comprehension orientation language learing capacity
What is dementia
deterioration in cognitive function beyond with might be expected with normal ageing
Alzheimer
reduction in size of cortex,, severe in hippocampus
causes short term memory loss
caused by fragment that build up in the spaces between nerve cells = plqs which result in loss of brain function
Features of alzheimers
short term memory loss communication difficulties loss of confidence withdrawn mood swings aphasia
Vascular Dementia
reduced blood flow to the brain which damages and kills the brain cells
narrowing and blockage of the small blood vessels in the brain
a single large stroke or mini strokes
Underlying conditions - high BP, diabetes, smoking, overweight
Features - memory problems of sudden onset, anxiety, delusion, seizures, visospatial difficulties
Dementia with lewy bodies
deposists of abnormal protein insdie brain cells, build up in areas repsonsible for memeory and muscle movment
Features - short term memory loss, sleep disorders, delusions, motor disorders, speech and swallowing problems, visospatial difficulites, cognitive ability fluctutions
Frontotemporal Dementia
Protein TDP 43, ubiqitin associated with clumps of protein
younger age onset, changes in personality and behaviour, difficulties with language
Features - short term memory loss not always present, mutism, decline in personal and social condut, uncontriable repetition of words, personality change
Early stages of dementia
short term memory loss confusion, poor judgement unwilling to make decisions anxiety, agitation, stress inability to manage everyday tasks communication problems
Middle stages of dementia
More support required - reminders to eat
Increasing forgetfullness and may fail to recognise people
Distress, aggression, anger, mood changes
risk of wandering and getting lost
many behave inappropriately
may experience hallicinations, throw back memories
Late stages of dementia
symptoms progressive and irreversible
inability to recognise familar objects, surroundings or people
Incontinence and loss of speech
difficulty eating, swallowing, weight loss
Increasing physical fragiliy
Diagnosis and management od dementia
Mini mental state examination
Detialed cognitive testing
Blessed dementia scale
Multi Discplinary team for dementia
Dementia Nurses GP Consultant community nurses Carers Pharmacy Nursing home staff
Care Home - dementia friendly
walls, floors, skirting boards all different colours fix labels and images to drawers a bedroom WC should be visible from bed radiaitor should be low temp funiture tradiontal and domestic position personal pics and items
Healthcare - dementia friendly
Reception desk visible from entrance
Avoid non essential signs
Natural light
Use pictorial elements
singage should be at eye level with simple clear use of text and colour
colour and tone of walls should be distinctive from the flooring
staff or locked rooms should be coloured same as walls to avoid attention
