Unit 13

Unit 13

1 Understand what dementia is
1.1 explain what is meant by the term ‘dementia’
Dementia is a serious loss of global cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal ageing.
1.2 describe the key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia
Dementia is not a single disease, but a non-specific syndrome (i.e., set of signs and symptoms). Affected cognitive areas can be memory, attention, language, and problem solving. temporal lobe = responsible foe vision, memory, language, hearing, learning frontal lobe = responsible for decision making , problem solving, control behavior and emotions parietal lobe = responsible for sensory information from the body, also where letters are formed, putting things in order and spatial awareness occipital lobe = responsible for processing information related to vision cerebrum lobe = biggest part of the Brain its role is memory, attention, thought, and our consciousness, senses and movement hippocampus = responsible for memory forming, organizing and storing and emotions
1.3 explain why depression, delirium and age-related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia

Delirium and age-related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia because this can be also symptoms for other disease or even diseases.
Normally, symptoms must be present for at least six months to support a diagnosis. Cognitive dysfunction of shorter duration is called “delirium”. Especially in later stages of the condition, subjects may be disoriented in time (not knowing the day, week, or even year), in place (not knowing where they are), and in person (not knowing whom they and/or others around them are).

2 Understand key features of the theoretical models of dementia
2.1 outline the medical model of dementia
Dementia as a clinical syndrome is characterized by global cognitive impairment, which represents a decline from previous level of functioning, and is associated with impairment in functional abilities and, in many cases, behavioral and psychiatric disturbances.
2.2 outline the social model of dementia

The social model of care seeks to understand the emotions and behaviors of the person with dementia by placing him or her within the context of his or her social circumstances and biography. By learning about each person with dementia as an individual, with his or her own history and background, care and support can be designed to be more appropriate to individual needs.

2.3 explain why dementia should be viewed as a disability
People who have dementia are not aware of requirements for living. They can forget to do the essential things that are vital. Taking medicines, hygiene and even eating are often forgotten. They can get lost or hurt and not understand what is necessary to correct a situation. Turning on the stove or water and forgetting to turn it off, locking doors, crossing streets etc. can be dangerous even deadly. In the same way you would not think as an infant incapable of self care a person with dementia can not be either. Considering the facts that they cannot act in the manner of a responsible adult makes them disabled.

3 Know the most common types of dementia and their causes

3.1 list the most common causes of dementia

There isn’t one identifiable source for the disease and it is thought that it is a combination of factors that cause the condition. The disease may develop silently for years before the symptoms appear.
I can list a few:
-Alzheimer’s disease
-Dementia with Lewy bodies,
-Stroke
-Parkinson’s
-Degenerative disease
-Alcohol related dementia
-any disease or event which can create injuries to the brain.

3.2 describe the likely signs and symptoms of the most common causes of dementia

• Memory loss, frequently forgetting conversations, appointments, or events • Impaired judgment • Difficulties with abstract thinking • Faulty reasoning • Inappropriate behavior • Loss of communication skills, difficulty following the flow of a conversation • Disorientation to time and place • Gait, motor, and balance problems • Neglect of personal care and safety • Hallucinations, paranoia, agitation • Frequently losing or misplacing things

3.3 outline the risk factors for the most common causes of dementia

The most common causes for dementia are: The age, gender and hormonal effects, stress, head trauma, education, chemical exposure, depression, parental age, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, cerebral white-matter lesion, alcohol,

3.4 identify prevalence rates for different types of Dementia

Alzheimer's is the most prevalent. Vascular Dementia is the second most prevalent. After that things convoluted a bit but Dementia with Lewy bodies is probably third.

4 Understand factors relating to an individual’s experience of dementia

4.1 describe how different individuals may experience living with dementia depending on age, type of dementia, and level of ability and disability

Depending on the form of dementia people's ability and disability will be different. People with dementia may not necessarily always be forgetful, for example an individual with Fronto-temporal dementia may be less forgetful than a person suffering from Alzheimer disease. Their memory may remain intact but their personality and behavior could be noticeably changed.
Dementia with Lewy bodies interrupts the brain’s normal functioning and affects the person's memory, concentration and speech skills. It has similar symptoms to Parkinson's disease such as tremors, slowness of movement and speech difficulties. People with vascular dementia may suffer from incontinence or seizure where other types of dementia may not affect those.

However the level of ability and disability depend on individual's age and condition of dementia, people who are living with dementia in earlier age such as 60's-70's are less likely to be as dependable on others than people living with dementia at the age of over their 70's or 80's. People also have different levels of stamina at different ages, so their ability and disability may vary and the level of support they require will be varied as well.

4.2 outline the impact that the attitudes and behaviors of others may have on an individual with dementia

A person with dementia in contact with a healthy and normal person can become depressed, introverted, and violent; can refuse any communication or co-operation. All these example of behavioral can appear if the person who gets in touch with the person with dementia has no experience, or doesn’t know about the person’s condition(dementia). If the CA has enough dates about the SU than can provide the necessary care and to adopt the necessary attitude to create a link which allows to get close enough to the SU and to provide the assistance to maintain the quality of SU’s life, promoting good hygiene, socialization, nutrition, self respect.