Unit 4222-237 Dementia Awareness (DEM 201)
Unit 4222-237 Dementia Awareness (DEM 201)
1.1 – Explain what is meant by the term ‘dementia’
The term dementia describes a set of symptoms which include loss of memory, mood changes and problems with communication and reasoning. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by numerous certain diseases. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. How fast dementia progresses will depend on the individual person and what type of dementia they have. Each person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way.
1.2 – Describe the key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia
The key functions that are affected by dementia are:
Temporal Lobe – Responsible for vision, memory, language, hearing and learning.
Frontal Lobe – Responsible for decision making, problem solving, control behaviour 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, responsible for memory, attention, thought and our consciousness, senses and movement.
Hippocampus – Responsible for memory forming, organizing and storing emotions.
1.3 – Explain why depression, delirium, and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia
Depression, delirium and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia because they all share many of the same symptoms as dementia.
Symptoms of dementia:
Increasing difficulties with tasks and activities that require concentration and planning
Memory loss
Depression
Changes in personality and mood
Periods of mental confusion
Low attention span
Urinary incontinence
Stroke like symptoms, such as muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
Visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t there)
Wandering during the night
Slow and unsteady gait (the way
1.1 – Explain what is meant by the term ‘dementia’
The term dementia describes a set of symptoms which include loss of memory, mood changes and problems with communication and reasoning. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by numerous certain diseases. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. How fast dementia progresses will depend on the individual person and what type of dementia they have. Each person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way.
1.2 – Describe the key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia
The key functions that are affected by dementia are:
Temporal Lobe – Responsible for vision, memory, language, hearing and learning.
Frontal Lobe – Responsible for decision making, problem solving, control behaviour 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, responsible for memory, attention, thought and our consciousness, senses and movement.
Hippocampus – Responsible for memory forming, organizing and storing emotions.
1.3 – Explain why depression, delirium, and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia
Depression, delirium and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia because they all share many of the same symptoms as dementia.
Symptoms of dementia:
Increasing difficulties with tasks and activities that require concentration and planning
Memory loss
Depression
Changes in personality and mood
Periods of mental confusion
Low attention span
Urinary incontinence
Stroke like symptoms, such as muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
Visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t there)
Wandering during the night
Slow and unsteady gait (the way