Week 12: Dementia Flashcards
Define dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term describing a set if symptoms causing a person to have changes in brain function that interferes with the ability to function and do everyday activities
What is dementia caused by?
Diseases of the brain
What type of illness is dementia?
Progressive
What is the most common cause of dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease
What is typical behaviour of someone with Alzheimer’s?
- lose items
- forget friends names
- struggle to find the right word in a conversation
- forget about the most recent conversation or events
- get lost in a familiar place or on a familiar journey
What is vascular dementia?
Dementia caused by damages blood vessels, preventing blood and oxygen getting to the brain cells, resulting in brain cell death
What is the second most common type of dementia?
Vascular dementia
What are some symptoms of vascular dementia?
- slower speed of thought
- reduced concentration
- word-finding difficulties
- mood changes (apathy, depression or anxiety)
As white matter becomes more affected, stepped progression can occur, this coincides with….
Strokes/TIA’s
What is Lewy bodies dementia caused by?
- tiny deposits of a protein that appear in nerve cells in the brain
- with low levels of important chemicals (acetylcholine/dopamine)
- loss of connections between nerve cells
What are some symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia?
- symptoms of alzheimers
- symptoms of parkinsons e.g. slow movement, stiff limbs, blank facial expression, shuffling gait, trembling limbs
What are symptoms of Frontotemporal Dementia?
- preference for sweet food
- language problems
- behavioural problems
- symptoms may vary/ mimic other mental disorders
What are the 4 medications given to treat Alzheimer’s?
- donepezil
- rivastigmine
- galantamine
- memantine
What medication may a person with frontotemporal dementia be given?
Anti-depressants
What medication may a person with vascular dementia be given?
Anti-hypersenstive drugs or antiarrhythemic
What are some examples of non-medication therapies?
- cognitive stimulation therapy
- cognitive rehabilitation
- life story and reminiscence work
- music and creative arts
- complementary therapies
With early onset dementia, how does communication ability change?
- repeating
- unable to follow a conversation
- slower understanding of complex ideas
- poor judgement or decisions
- limited memory of recent events
With medium stage dementia, how does communication ability change?
- repeating same questions
- confused on time/place
- forgetting friends/family
- rely on non-verbal cues
- hallucinations
- mobility issues
With late stage dementia how does ability to communication change?
- unaware of time/place
- no recognition of family/friends
- no verbal communication
- unable to understand speech
- cant recognise/use objects
- limited or unable to mobilise
What is sundowning?
A term used for changes in behaviour that occur in the evening, around dusk, experiencing a growing sense of agitation or anxiety at this time
What are symptoms of sundowning?
- feeling in the wrong place
- shouting
- arguing
- pacing
- confused to what’s going on around them
How do you manage sundowning?
- use distractions techniques
- ask them what the matter is
- talk slow and soothing
- speak in short sentences
- hold persons hand
How can you prevent sundowning?
- follow a routine
-limit intake of caffeine/alcohol - limit daytime naps
- close curtains/lights off to sleep
- cover mirrors, windows, and glass doors
- avoid large evening meals
What are some communication techniques for dementia patients?
- relaxed communication
- avoid abrupt tone
- introduce yourself
- be aware of no-verbal cues
- closed questions
What is the VERA framework?
- Validate the person as an individual
- Engage with the emotional content
- Reassure with info
- Activity
What is elderspeak?
A way to appear compassionate and to improve understanding, however patients describe those who use elderspeak as paternalistic,/unprofessional
What is a downside to elderspeak?
It infantilises patients, often leading to withdrawal from care and potentially challenging behaviour
What are some available support groups/info for dementia patients and families?
- age uk
- the carers trust
- carers uk
- dementia uk
- alzheimers research uk
