Nvq Health and Social
Understand the neurology of dementia.
There are a range of causes of dementia syndrome such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Pick’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Pick's disease is a rare disorder that causes the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control speech and personality, to slowly. It is therefore classified as afrontotemporal dementia (FTD.)
Memory problems are usually the most obvious symptom in people with dementia. For example, a person with early stages of dementia might go to the shops and then cannot remember what they wanted. It is also common to misplace objects. As dementia progresses, sometimes memory loss for recent events is severe and the person may appear to be living in the past. They may think of themselves as young and not recognise their true age.
At first, someone with dementia may appear to be easily irritated or moody. More challenging behaviour may develop in some people over time; he or she may say or do things quite out of character. Some people with dementia can also become agitated or even aggressive. Some individuals may become suspicious or fearful of others and, sometimes people have hallucinations. (see table)
People with dementia often confuse the generations mistaking their wife for their mother. The person with dementia may be trying to interpret a world that no longer makes sense to them because their brain is processing information incorrectly. Sometimes the person with dementia and those around them will misinterpret each other's attempts at communication. These misunderstandings can be difficult, and may require some support. Difficulties with communication can be upsetting and frustrating for the individual with dementia and for those around them.
Many people become
There are a range of causes of dementia syndrome such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Pick’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. Pick's disease is a rare disorder that causes the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control speech and personality, to slowly. It is therefore classified as afrontotemporal dementia (FTD.)
Memory problems are usually the most obvious symptom in people with dementia. For example, a person with early stages of dementia might go to the shops and then cannot remember what they wanted. It is also common to misplace objects. As dementia progresses, sometimes memory loss for recent events is severe and the person may appear to be living in the past. They may think of themselves as young and not recognise their true age.
At first, someone with dementia may appear to be easily irritated or moody. More challenging behaviour may develop in some people over time; he or she may say or do things quite out of character. Some people with dementia can also become agitated or even aggressive. Some individuals may become suspicious or fearful of others and, sometimes people have hallucinations. (see table)
People with dementia often confuse the generations mistaking their wife for their mother. The person with dementia may be trying to interpret a world that no longer makes sense to them because their brain is processing information incorrectly. Sometimes the person with dementia and those around them will misinterpret each other's attempts at communication. These misunderstandings can be difficult, and may require some support. Difficulties with communication can be upsetting and frustrating for the individual with dementia and for those around them.
Many people become