Living With Dementia

Question 1

What are the common problems associated with dementia?

Answer 1

Affects day to day memory, thinking and concentration, communication, vision and mood.

Question 2

What is the impact of a dementia diagnosis?

Answer 2

Patients may feel overwhelmed and shocked with a negative impact on the family as the person with dementia loses independence and memory and recognition.

Question 3

What is the impact of a dementia diagnosis on a patient?

Answer 3

Loss of sense of self which can cause depression and anxiety
Confusion
Loss of autonomy
Change in social relationships such as with adult children
Grief and loss
Denial
Difficulty with communication can result in stigma, social isolation and discrimination.

Question 4

How can a person with dementia live well?

Answer 4

Maintaining a good quality of life with their sense of self retained and meeting their needs such as safety, self-esteem and being included in family and retaining some responsibility.

Most importantly, routine is essential and disruptions to this can result in a decline.

Question 5

How are people with dementia vulnerable to abuse?

Answer 5

Due to issues with memory, they can have difficulty remembering the abuse and reporting it. Their cognitive impairments make them vulnerable to abuse by strangers.

Question 6

What is the impact on society of dementia care?

Answer 6

Adult children may be required to take time off work.
There is loss of independence as the disease progresses, which means they may become a danger to themselves and not recognise hot stoves.
Communication is difficult and their personal needs change over time.

Question 7

How are family affected by a dementia diagnosis?

Answer 7

They take on a caring responsibility for the person with dementia and lose their support
Poor sleep and stress due to constant vigilance for the safety of the person with dementia