dementia care
Unit 40: Dementia Care
P1: Describe types of dementia and common signs and symptoms.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a common condition that affects about 800,000 people in the UK. Your risk of developing dementia increases as you get older, and the condition usually occurs in people over the age of 65.
Dementia is a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities. This includes problems with: memory loss thinking speed mental agility language understanding judgment People with dementia can lose interest in their usual activities, and have problems controlling their emotions. They may also find social situations challenging, lose interest in socializing, and aspects of their personality may change.
A person with dementia may lose empathy (understanding and compassion), they may see or hear things that other people do not (hallucinations), or they may make false claims or statements.
As dementia affects a person's mental abilities, they may find planning and organizing difficult. Being independent may also become a problem. A person with dementia will therefore usually need help from friends or relatives, including help with decision making.
Most types of dementia can't be cured, but if it is detected early there are ways to slow it down and maintain mental function.
Dementia is a collection of symptoms including memory loss, personality change, and impaired intellectual functions resulting from disease or trauma to the brain. These changes are not part of normal aging and are severe enough to impact daily living, independence, and relationships. There will likely be noticeable decline in communication, learning, remembering, and problem solving. These changes may occur quickly or very slowly over time.
Common signs and symptoms of dementia include:
Memory loss
Impaired judgment
Difficulties with abstract thinking
Faulty reasoning
Inappropriate behaviour
Loss of communication skills
Disorientation to time
P1: Describe types of dementia and common signs and symptoms.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a common condition that affects about 800,000 people in the UK. Your risk of developing dementia increases as you get older, and the condition usually occurs in people over the age of 65.
Dementia is a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities. This includes problems with: memory loss thinking speed mental agility language understanding judgment People with dementia can lose interest in their usual activities, and have problems controlling their emotions. They may also find social situations challenging, lose interest in socializing, and aspects of their personality may change.
A person with dementia may lose empathy (understanding and compassion), they may see or hear things that other people do not (hallucinations), or they may make false claims or statements.
As dementia affects a person's mental abilities, they may find planning and organizing difficult. Being independent may also become a problem. A person with dementia will therefore usually need help from friends or relatives, including help with decision making.
Most types of dementia can't be cured, but if it is detected early there are ways to slow it down and maintain mental function.
Dementia is a collection of symptoms including memory loss, personality change, and impaired intellectual functions resulting from disease or trauma to the brain. These changes are not part of normal aging and are severe enough to impact daily living, independence, and relationships. There will likely be noticeable decline in communication, learning, remembering, and problem solving. These changes may occur quickly or very slowly over time.
Common signs and symptoms of dementia include:
Memory loss
Impaired judgment
Difficulties with abstract thinking
Faulty reasoning
Inappropriate behaviour
Loss of communication skills
Disorientation to time