Nvq 3 Dementia

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alzheimers.org.uk Learning disabilities and dementia Advances in medical and social care have led to a significant increase in the life expectancy of people with learning disabilities. Understanding the effects of ageing among this group – including the increased risk of developing dementia – has therefore become increasingly important. This factsheet explains how dementia may be experienced by someone with a learning disability and gives some suggestions for how the person can be supported. A person with a learning disability has a lifelong condition that impacts on their learning, communication and understanding. They may require support with some tasks including planning, learning new skills and socialising. The causes of different learning…show more content…
Dementia is a progressive condition which means that the symptoms will get worse. For more information, see factsheet 400,What is dementia? This factsheet looks at Down’s syndrome in more detail than other learning disabilities. This is because Down’s syndrome is the most common known cause of learning disability and because people with Down’s are at particular risk of dementia. What is different about dementia in someone with a learning disability? Dementia generally affects people with learning disabilities in similar ways to people without a learning disability, but there are some important differences. People with a learning disability are at greater risk of developing dementia at a younger age – particularly those with Down’s syndrome: 1 often show different symptoms in the early stages of dementia 2 are less likely to receive a correct or early diagnosis of dementia and may not be able to understand the diagnosis 3 may experience a more rapid progression of dementia 4 may already be in a supported living environment, where they are given help to allow them to live…show more content…
At present we do not know why this is the case and further research is needed. Genetic factors may be involved, or a particular type of brain damage associated with a learning disability could be a cause. How do the symptoms of dementia differ for people with a learning disability? Down’s syndrome and dementia The symptoms of dementia in people with Down’s syndrome are broadly similar to those in the general population, although there are some differences. Changes in behaviour or personality (eg becoming more stubborn, irritable or withdrawn) are more often reported as an early symptom of Alzheimer’s than memory loss. People with Down’s syndrome are more prone to fits than others. However, epilepsy that appears in someone with Down’s syndrome later in life is almost always a sign of dementia and should be investigated thoroughly. The middle and later stages of dementia in people with Down’s syndrome are similar to these stages in the general population (see factsheet 458, The progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias). However, there is some evidence that dementia in people with Down’s syndrome progresses more

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