Dementia Flashcards
what are 4 types of dementia
umbrella term
alzheimer’s disease
vascular dementia
dementia with lewy bodies
fronto-temporal dementia
what is the second most common type of dementia
and what is it
vascular dementia
reduced blood supply to brain from diseased blood vessels
stepwise progression
what occurs in alzheimers disease
build up protiens- plaques and tangles
lose connections between nerve cells
death of nerve cells
what is dementia with Lewy bodies
abnormal protein deposits (lewy bodies) in nerve cells in brain
more likely to find hallucinations here
what is fronto-temporal dementia
behavioural changes rather than memory changes
disinhibition
from abnormal protein clumps in brain
what is dementia
group of symptoms
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.
what is the biggest risk factor for dementia
increasing age
who is more affected by dementia, women or men and why
-women
reflection of higher life expectancy in women
more women in higher age group
what are the dementia symptom stages
EARLY stage
MIDDLE stage
LATE stage
may be overlap
describe Alzheimer’s early stage
SUBTLE CHANGES
-feel like normal aging
forgetful- loss of memory of recent events
mislaying items
struggle to find words
difficulty thinking something complex through
change in mood
poor judgement
hard to make decisions/plans
judging distance- seeing objects in 3D
getting lost
describe Alzheimer’s middle stage
MORE OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS
-hard as they are mobile and want to be independent but dont understand why
-relationship dynamics change
more forgetful
fail to recognise people
communication challenges
time/place/events/getting lost- even if familiar to them
safety
behaviour changes
need help with personal care
-can result in stress for patient as they do not understand why people come into their home and therefore try to protect themselves
describe Alzheimer’s late stage
DIFFERENCES IN SYMPTOMS EVEN OUT
-damage to the brain more global
unaware of time/ place
communication challenges
not recognise familiar faces
eating assistance
incontinence
mobility problems
behaviour changes
completely dependent
V SHORT WORKING MEMORY
what are the reasons for caregiving of a patient eg. son/daughter
have an emotional bond with the patient
sense of duty
no alternative– stuck with role??
impact on family/friends
most stressful stage for patient as mobile and dont realise why they need help
lost support of person they’re caring for
relationship changes
not mutually supported relationship
if they forget who you are- very emotional effect
weigh up outcome whether better to agree/disagree with patient
– middle ground between the two therapies
1. orientation therapy (factual)
2. validation therapy
validate emotions
what are the positives of caregiving
satisfaction
strengthening of family relationships
increased sense of self worth
challenge
rewarding (companionship)
