People experiencing vascular dementia will, like those with Alzheimer’s disease, have problems with learning, remembering, recognition, planning and problem solving. However, there is a major difference in the two diseases. Alzheimer’s disease tends to affect the whole of the brain and to progress gradually and steadily. Vascular dementia tends to affect only certain areas of the brain, and this means someone may retain more of their abilities – and also more awareness of their condition. Dementia syndrome or ‘mixed dementia’are terms for a condition in which abnormalities characteristic of more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously in the brain.
Unit 33 Understand the process and experience of dementia 1. Understand the neurology of dementia 1.1Describe a range of causes of dementia syndrome There is still so much unknown about what causes dementia and the 4 main types of dementia which are Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, dementia with lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Alzheimer’s as far as we know is caused when two abnormal proteins build in the brain, they form a plaque which disrupts the way the brain and its cells work to enable them to communicate to each other. Some believe that Alzheimer’s is caused by genetic factors or lifestyle, age, downs syndrome or cardio vascular disease. Vascular dementia is caused when there is a reduction in the blood flow to the brain.
The medical model of dementia sees dementia as being degenerative with no cure. It concentrates on disease process not the individual by treating the disease and not recognising to need to shift the focus from measuring medical declines to restoring quality of life. The social model of dementia focuses on the capability of the individual, not the incapability. The social model also values the quality of life and to value the individuals’ personality. Dementia can be viewed as a disability as the individuals can still carry out the ability of daily activities of daily living depending on how they are affected.
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.
Corticobasal degeneration Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a rare disease in which parts of the brain become damaged and begin to shrink. The outer layer of the brain (known as the cortex) and deep parts of the brain (called the basal ganglia) are particularly affected. It is not yet known what causes CBD but an overproduction of a protein called tau is thought to play a role. The disease usually affects people between the ages of 60 and
Discuss the deficits Mr Lusk has presented with. Mr Lusk has presented with many of the signs of Dementia. Mr Lusk’ inability to perform everyday tasks and reported progressive memory loss are both factors in Dementia. Mr Lusk’ is also wandering and getting lost in familiar setting this is a sign that Mr Lusk is disorientated with time and place which is an early warning sign of Dementia. Other early warning signs that Mr Lusk has presented with are deficits in language often people with Dementia forget how to speak simple words which can impact on the ability to have a conversation with the person, judgement, insight and thinking are also signs of Dementia people with Dementia have a hard time with abstract thinking and can’t problem solve as well as they use to.
It is important to encourage to maintain independence. Know the most common types of dementia and their causes. 3.1) The most common causes of dementia are neurodegenerative disease where the brain cells die more quickly than normal which leads to a decline in the persons mental and physical abilities. Dementia can be caused by strokes, brain damage, old age, or it can be hereditary. 3.2) Symptoms of Alzheimer’s; Becoming more confused and forgetful, Mood swings, Becoming withdrawn due to loss of confidence, Having difficulty completing every
NFCE Level 3 Preparing to work in Adult Social Care Unit 13 understand the process and experience of dementia 1.1 Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes 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. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia which occurs after a stroke is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.
Although they cannot communicate their condition signs such as an increased level of confusion can be present indicating an underlying cause (Brooker, 2006). Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and unnoticed infected skin tears, are a few common problems seen in dementia patients that may go unnoticed due to their condition. If untreated these infections can continue to worsen and can result in sepsis (Dening,
1.3 Explain why depression, delirium and age-related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia Because this are symptoms of dementia but the cause for them to happen can be different: - for depression: a person can be depressed but not suffer for dementia; - for delirium: it can be caused by an infection and the person could become confused and suffer with memory loss which are also signs and symptoms of dementia; - for age-related memory impairment: if someone becomes forgetful they might think or others might think they have dementia because a lot of people associate dementia with old age and memory loss but younger people can be affected too. 2. Understand key features of the theoretical models of dementia: 2.1 Outline the medical model of dementia Dementia has to managed and treated rather than the person. 2.2 Outline