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1.1. Explain what is meant by the term ‘dementia’ Dementia is a set of symptoms that affect the way people think and interact with each other. It is not a disease, but can often be linked to a disease or damage done to the brain. Short-time memory, mind, speech and motor skills are affected. Certain forms of dementia cause a change in the personality of the individual. A person suffering from dementia will lose certain skills and knowledge they already had. This is the main difference to other conditions that affect the mind. People who suffer from learning problems, or lower intelligence will never acquire certain skills, people suffering from dementia will lose skills they have acquired. Dementia is more common in older people. Certain forms of dementia can be treated, to some extent. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer 's disease.
1.2. Describe the key functions of the brain that are – affected by dementia
The functions of brain that are affected by dementia are the following: * temporal lobe which is responsible for vision, memory, language, hearing and learning * frontal lobe which is responsible for decision making , problem solving, control over behavior and emotions * parietal lobe which is responsible for sensory information from the body, also where letters are formed, putting things in order and spatial awareness * occipital lobe which is responsible for processing information related to vision * cerebrum lobe which is the biggest part of the Brain, its role is memory, attention, thought, and our consciousness, senses and movement * hippocampus which is responsible for memory forming, organizing and storing thoughts and emotions
1.3. Explain why depression, delirium and age-related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia
Depression, delirium and age related memory impairment are often mistaken for dementia because they show many of the same effects on a persons behavior as
References: http://www.patientsville.com/side-effects-questions/dementia-sun-09-oct-2011-17-58-12.htm http://www.walsall.nhs.uk/Library/MentalHealth/living_with_dementia_full_jan11.pdf http://www.ssiacymru.org.uk/media/pdf/k/7/UA_Guidance_for_dementia_2.pdf