older persons Flashcards
Dementia / what is it? and how does it occur? theres a number of tyhpes of dementia, what is the most common
Dementia isn’t a single condition. It’s a term used to describe symptoms that occur when there is a decline in brain function. This may include problems with memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform daily tasks.
Dementia occurs as a result of damage to brain cells. The symptoms that develop depend on the areas of the brain that have been damaged. It is progressive, meaning the symptoms gradually get worse over time (chronic brain failure).
There are a number of different types of dementia. The most common is Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia treatment
Treatment depends on the symptoms, diagnosis and cause of the dementia. Medication cannot cure dementia or repair brain damage. However, it may improve symptoms or slow down the disease for a short period of time.
Who gets dementia? There are some groups of people who are known to have a higher risk of developing dementia.
Down syndrome or other learning disabilities
Parkinson’s disease
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (such as angina, heart attack, stroke and peripheral arterial disease)
a history of drinking excess alcohol
a family history of dementia
a history of a head injury
Although there is no cure for dementia, there are a number of treatments, including:
lifestyle changes cognitive stimulation therapy treating heart risk factors Medication (e.g. donepezil) Mind and memory-based activities.
Dementia
Care plans should include information and support for the following:
a driving assessment arranging enduring power of attorney writing or updating your will developing an advance care plan accessing services to help you stay independent for as long as possible learning about your condition Sunflower chart Wellbeing and contribution/ occupation Reminiscence and prompts to remind Environment
Delirium
•Symptoms include
•Symptoms include quickly changing mental states, problems with attention, awareness, thinking, memory, feelings or sleep.
Delirium
•Risk factors include
•Risk factors include being over 65 years old, having dementia, a hip fracture or severe illness, and being elderly and in hospital.
Delirium
What makes Delirium worse?
Constipation Dehydration Fatigue Noisy, busy environment Pain Poor eyesight or hearing Poor nutrition intake Unfamiliar surroundings Unmet needs Urinary retention
What is the Most common mental illness in older people and what does it usually present with
Most common mental illness in older people
May present with anxiety
Sundowning definition and intervention
a state of confusion occurring in the late afternoon and spanning into the night. Sundowning can cause a variety of behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression or ignoring directions. Sundowning can also lead to pacing or wandering.
exposure to bright light can help reset the person’s body clock. Get physical activity or exercise each day. Get daytime rest if needed, but keep naps short and not too late in the day. Get enough rest at night.
Dementia has three stages, early moderate and severe
EARLY
an unwillingness to try new things/unable to adapt to change,
taking longer to do routine jobs
losing interest in hobbies and activities
being irritable and easily upset
showing poor judgment and making poor decisions
repeating oneself
Dementia has three stages, early moderate and severe
MODERATE
forgetting to eat and/or neglecting personal hygiene
seeing or hearing things which are not there
becoming easily lost if away from familiar environments
forgetting about recent events or the names of family and friends
becoming very easily upset and distressed through frustration
Dementia has three stages, early moderate and severe
SEVERE
an inability to recognise family and friends or even everyday objects
an inability to locate their own room and bed
forgetting about what happened in the last few minutes
incontinence of urine, and later faeces
disturbance at night and restlessness at sundown
Delirium =
Delirium is an acute confusional state
Delirium results from an underlying physical illness or toxin that causes a disturbance in brain physiology
Clinical features of delirium
Acute confusion - an abrupt change in mental state and ADL function
Fluctuation- during course of the day, often worse at night
Inattention - difficulty focusing, sustaining or shifting attention
Change in level of alertness- reduced level of alertness - hypervigilant
