Dementia_Flashcards
What is the main focus of dementia management?
Management focuses on quality of life and preservation of independence and dignity.
What should be provided to a dementia patient for coordination of care?
A single named care coordinator should be provided.
What adaptations can help dementia patients with safety and medication compliance?
Adaptations include always carrying ID, using dossett boxes/blister packs, reality orientation tools, environmental modifications, assistive technology, and home safety assessments.
How can social support be provided to dementia patients?
Social support can be provided through personal care, meal preparation, medication prompting, day centres, and day hospitals.
What support should be offered to carers of dementia patients?
Support for carers includes emotional support, carer’s assessments, education about dementia, training to manage common problems, respite care, Admiral nurses, and Alzheimers UK.
How can physical health be optimized in dementia patients?
Physical health can be optimized by treating sensory impairments, excluding superimposed delirium, treating underlying risk factors, and reviewing all medications.
What psychological therapies can benefit dementia patients?
Psychological therapies include cognitive stimulation, group reminiscence therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, occupational therapy, behavioral approaches, validation therapy, and multisensory therapy.
What considerations should be taken into account when starting psychotropic medications for dementia patients?
Start doses low and increase slowly; elderly patients are very sensitive to drug side-effects. Treat comorbid psychiatric illness.
What are the options for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer’s disease?
Options include donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine, used in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
When is memantine used in Alzheimer’s disease treatment?
Memantine is first-line for severe Alzheimer’s disease or moderate Alzheimer’s disease with intolerance/contraindication for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
When might sedatives or antipsychotics be considered for dementia patients?
Sedatives or antipsychotics may be considered for behavioral disturbances as a last resort.
What is the range of MMSE scores for mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)?
Mild AD: 21-26, Moderate AD: 10-20, Severe AD: < 10.
How should the diagnosis of dementia be explained to patients and their families?
Explain that dementia is caused by gradual changes and damage in the brain, develops slowly, and gets gradually worse over several years.
What is important to explain about the prognosis of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Explain that there is no cure for AD, but medications and therapies can help manage symptoms and slow progression.
What is the role of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the care of dementia patients?
The MDT includes occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, and others to address various aspects of care.
