memory, judgement and movement. When brain cells in one of these regions are damaged and cannot communicate normally, then thinking, behaviour and feelings can become affected. The causes of dementia depends on the age at which symptoms begin. Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia. About 75% of people who are diagnosed with dementia will have either Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia, or a combination of the two.
Dementia which begins gradually and worsens progressively over several years is usually caused by neurodegenerative disease that is, by conditions affecting only or primarily the neurons of the brain and causing gradual but irreversible loss of function of these cells. Less commonly, a non-degenerative condition may have secondary effects on brain cells, which may or may not be reversible if the condition is treated. The causes of dementia depend on the age at which symptoms begin. In the elderly population, a large majority of cases of dementia are caused by Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia or both. It is rare to have dementia in young people 1.2 Describe the types of memory impairment commonly experienced by individuals with dementia.
The gradual changes and damage to the brain cells are caused by a build up of abnormal proteins in the brain. Dementia is a common condition that affects about 800,000 people in the UK. Your risk of developing dementia increases as you get older and condition usually occurs in people over the age of 65 years. The symptoms of people with dementia is memory (short/long term), Thinking, Speed, Language, Understanding, Judgement and sensory ability. There are some other factors Cause changes in individual condition with similar symptoms of dementia, like depression, confusional state due to an infection (UTI/chest infections), sensory changes due to age related degeneration, reduced metabolism cause poor appetite, Osteoporosis and fear of falling.
Functions that are affected by dementia are; Short term Memory loss, Language skills, the ability to interpret information, spatial skills, judgement and attention. These are all affected with the different types of dementia due to which part of the brain is affected. Depression, Delirium and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia as the individual may present with similar signs and symptoms to dementia. To ensure weather these conditions are dementia or not a full assessment needs to be carried out by a qualified doctor. The medical model of dementia sees dementia as being degenerative with no cure.
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND EXPERIENCE OF DEMENTIA Task A 1. For each of the following forms of dementia, describe: • How is the brain affected • The symptoms an individual might experience. Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease. Most patients start exhibiting symptoms after they reach the age of 60. Alzheimer's disease affects the brain through exponentially greater cell death and tissue loss, resulting in a decreased brain size.
Impairments of cognitive function are commonly accompanied, occasionally preceded, by deterioration in emotional control, social behaviour, or motivation. The syndrome occurs in Alzheimer’s disease, in cerebrovascular disease, and in other conditions primarily or secondarily affecting the brain’. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK55480/ The social model of dementia were as the medical mode is more about the medical side of things the social model is more about the person and how the illness affects them. The social model of care is to understand the emotions and behaviours of the person with dementia by placing him or her within the context of his or her social circumstances and biography. By learning about each person with dementia as an individual, with his or her own history and background, care and support can be designed to be more appropriate to individual needs.
It is a physical condition affecting the brain. It can be caused by various things such as age, down syndrome and genetics. It is caused when abnormal clumps called either plaques or tangles interfere with how the brain cells work and communicate which cause them to die. People with Alzheimer’s also have a shortage of chemicals that help with the transmission of the brain. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may change as the disease progresses.
3) Other conditions such as depression and delirium both have similar symptoms as dementia. Memory loss can just be a result of ageing, however it is also a symptom of dementia. Understand key features of the theoretical models of dementia. 2.1) The medical model of dementia focuses on the dementia itself. For example it focuses on which type of dementia it is and how it can be treated.
Depression, delirium and age related memory impairment are all symptoms of dementia. There are a lot of similar symptoms, and it is essential that the correct diagnosis, from a professional is given. 2.1 Outline the medical model of dementia. The medical model sees the problem as the impairment and focuses on a cure and plans for the future. 2.2 Outline the social model of dementia.
Unit: Dementia Awareness This unit must be assessed in accordance with Skills for Care and Development’s Assessment Principles. Learning Outcome 1: Understand what dementia is Assessment Criteria 1.1. Explain what is meant by the term ‘dementia’ Dementia is a term used to describe a range of signs and symptoms that occur when the brain is affected. Chemical and structural changes in the brain damage and kill brain cells, dementia is a progressive disease and this simply means that the symptoms will gradually get worse. Neurons and synapses become damaged by dementia they may be unable to carry messages that tell a section of the brain what to do.