Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describe a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.

Cells of the brain die more quickly than in normal aging which produces loss of memory, confusion, odd behaviour and personality changes.

Long term and short term memory loss occurs with impairment in judgement, abstract thinking, problem solving ability, and behaviour.

The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.

TYPES OF DEMENTIA

1. VASCULAR DEMENTIA OR MULTI-INFARCT DEMENTIA Vascular dementia is also known as multi- infarct

dementia. Small blockages cause strokes that destroy small

part of the brain. You may not know when they occur.

V. DEMENTIA

This dementia cannot be cured and will not go away. Signs can appear suddenly and vary on where the stroke was

in the brain. New signs may occur with more strokes. Medicines and lifestyle changes can help keep the damage from getting worse.

2. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE Alzheimer’s is the common signs of dementia. It occurs from changes in the nerve cells of

the brain. No one knows what causes Alzheimer’s.

It cannot be cured and will not go away. Signs include memory loss, confusion, poor

judgement, and changes in language. These start slowly and worsen overtime.

Medicine can help slow down the disease or help with signs.

EPIDIMOLOGY:

65 years old dementia = 1% 85 years old dementia = 20%

STAGES OF DEMENTIA

1. MILD DEMENTIA Forgetfulness- Often forgot things. Poor concentration Denial- statement that is not true does

not exist or did not happen. New things are avoided Recent events but can still cope.

2. MODERATE DEMENTIA Memory of recent events that become loss. Past memory persists. Disorientation to place and time.

3. SEVERE DEMENTIA Memory of immediate events that is gone. Difficulty in performing ADL’s or Activities

of Daily Living. Don’t recognize familiar things. Difficulty in speech and self-expression.

MANIFESTATION AND MANAGEMENT:

A. MEMORY LOSS Identify and reinforce certain skills. Placement of large calendar in prominent

places. Diary, schedules, and pictures. Monitor activity of daily living. Provide continuity of care.

B. DISORIENTATION Remind client how to perform self-care. Make a day and night board. Furniture and familiar things in same place Follow a fixed routine Be consistent Re-orient client

C. GETTING LOSS Sign boards on room and arrows. Wrist tag for patient in nursing home. Identify cards (name, address, contact number). Vicinity map, alarms in doors, windows.

D. LOSS OF SKILLS Maintain normal routine- ADL’s. Provide exercise such as walking with escort. Give time for a task to be finished. Have patient continue hobbies and sports. Maintain independence.

E. NOT LIVING ON THE PRESENT Acknowledge the clients feelings. Activities with families (watching TV, hobbies, games). Join clubs and community gatherings.

F. FORGET MEDICATION Assist the client and family to manage memory

deficit and behaviour. Pill dispenser with alarm. Check medicine record.

G. COMMUNICATION Avoid activities that tax the memory Check hearing / vision Instruction simple and clear Non-verbal communication Encourage the family members to express

feelings about care giving.

H. SUNDOWNING Aggravation of symptoms in the evening Exercise in the morning with full stomach Resting and calm environment in the afternoon

HIPPOCAMPUS- “Seahorse” curved convoluted

elevation of the floor of the inferior horn of the

lateral ventricle of the brain.

LIMBIC SYSTEM - Houses emotion of person.