2. WHAT IS DEMENTIA ?
• The term Dementia is used to describe the collection of symptoms including a
decline in memory, reasoning and communication skills, and a gradual loss of
skills needed to carry out daily activities.
• These symptoms are caused by structural and chemical changes in the brain as a
result of physical diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
3. SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA
• Loss of memory – problems with day to day memory with difficulty recalling
events that happened recently
• Concentrating, planning and organising – difficulties making decisions , solving
problems or carrying out a sequence of tasks
• Language – difficulties in understanding what people are saying and or finding
the right word for something
5. ALZHEIMER’S LEWY BODY
• Become confused and frequently
forget the name of people , places ,
appointments and important events
• Experience mood swings due to
frustration from increasing memory
loss
• Become more withdrawn – due to
loss of confidence or to
communication problems
• Experience problems with attention
and alertness
• Often have spatial disorientation
• Difficulty in planning ahead and
coordinating mental activities
6. VASCULAR FRONTOTEMPORAL
• Problems with speed of thinking ,
concentration and communication
• Depression and anxiety
accompanying the dementia
• Symptoms of stroke such as physical
weakness or paralysis
• Lack of insight and loss of ability to
empathise with others
• More likely to have difficulties with
language and emotional responses.
• Become extrovert when previously
outgoing and withdrawn when
previously outgoing
7. WHAT CAUSES DEMENTIA TO PPL ?
• As people live longer , the number of people with dementia is set to increase.
• Caused by proteins that tangle in the brain
• Caused by vascular events- e.g stroke, damage to blood vessels and restricting
blood flow to areas of the brain
• Caused by clumps of proteins that develop inside nerve cells that block messages
in the brain. They reduce the levels of chemical messengers and cause nerve cells
to die.
• Caused by damage to the frontal/temporal lobes in the brain. Also sometimes
referred to as ‘Picks disease’.
8. PREVENTION
• There is growing evidence indicating that certain medical conditions such as high
blood pressure, diabetes and obesity may increase the risk of Dementia.
• eating a healthy, balanced diet.
• maintaining a healthy weight.
• exercising regularly.
9. DIAGNOSIS
• Blood tests to rule out any physical health reasons for an impaired memory
• History taking – talk to the person and someone who knows them well
• A scan of the brain
• A diagnosis may take weeks / months
11. MEDICATION THERAPIES
• Memantine. Memantine (Namenda)
works by regulating the activity of
glutamate, another chemical
messenger involved in brain
functions, such as learning and
memory. In some cases, memantine
is prescribed with a cholinesterase
inhibitor. A common side effect of
memantine is dizziness.
• Occupational therapy. An
occupational therapist can show you
how to make your home safer and
teach coping behaviors. The purpose
is to prevent accidents, such as falls;
manage behavior and prepare you
for the dementia progression.
