Unit 372 Dementia 313 Level 3 Diploma Hsc
Outcome 1 – Understand that each individual’s experience of dementia is unique
1.3: Describe how the experience of dementia may be different for individuals who are:
Dealing with a learning disability: Dementia generally affects people with learning disabilities in similar ways to people without a learning disability, but there are some important differences. People with a learning disability are at greater risk of developing dementia at a younger age - particularly those with Down's syndrome. They will require specific support to understand the changes they are experiencing, and to access appropriate services after diagnosis and as dementia progresses. Those with a learning disability are also less likely to receive an early or even correct diagnosis of dementia and may not even be able to understand the diagnosis because of their current condition. Some advantages show that they may already be in some sort of care to support with their learning disabilities, so a change to environment may always not be necessary. Being as having dementia affects the way in which you communicate; a person with learning disabilities may have already figured a different way to communicate out (e.g. more non verbal communication if their disability affects their speech)
From different ethnic backgrounds:
* The life history of someone from a black minority ethnic background may influence the impact and experience of dementia e.g. different values and expectations from an earlier life in a different country and culture. * No word for dementia in some cultures and low levels of awareness in some communities. Stigma around dementia in some communities which may relate it to mental illness or punishment, something to be kept in the family, not acknowledged. This could also lead to lack of diagnosis if there is no word for it * Some assessment tools may not be suitable due to language and culture differences or illiteracy e.g.
1.3: Describe how the experience of dementia may be different for individuals who are:
Dealing with a learning disability: Dementia generally affects people with learning disabilities in similar ways to people without a learning disability, but there are some important differences. People with a learning disability are at greater risk of developing dementia at a younger age - particularly those with Down's syndrome. They will require specific support to understand the changes they are experiencing, and to access appropriate services after diagnosis and as dementia progresses. Those with a learning disability are also less likely to receive an early or even correct diagnosis of dementia and may not even be able to understand the diagnosis because of their current condition. Some advantages show that they may already be in some sort of care to support with their learning disabilities, so a change to environment may always not be necessary. Being as having dementia affects the way in which you communicate; a person with learning disabilities may have already figured a different way to communicate out (e.g. more non verbal communication if their disability affects their speech)
From different ethnic backgrounds:
* The life history of someone from a black minority ethnic background may influence the impact and experience of dementia e.g. different values and expectations from an earlier life in a different country and culture. * No word for dementia in some cultures and low levels of awareness in some communities. Stigma around dementia in some communities which may relate it to mental illness or punishment, something to be kept in the family, not acknowledged. This could also lead to lack of diagnosis if there is no word for it * Some assessment tools may not be suitable due to language and culture differences or illiteracy e.g.