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Dementia
Dementia is a loss of brain function that affects memory, thinking and behavior and is common in old age.
451 Questions
How do you communicate with people with dementia?
They need much extra time for moving and talking. Move more slowly and talk in more simple language to give them the extra "processing" time they need. Sometimes my mother would go a good 30 seconds or more before responding to a question, often having been already interrupted by someone else speaking before she was able to formulate and state the answer.
Physical touch is important. Hold their hand, pat them on the arm, kiss their cheeks. Pet therapy is very good for them, as is Adult Day Care where activities are structured, meals are provided, and they are kept safe and mentally stimulated.
Encouraging and allowing the person to do as much as possible for themselves for as long as possible is important for many reasons. Dignity is an important one.
Your knowing when to get help is important too. Many couples vows never to let each other end up in a care facility. But, sometimes a person reaches a level of dementia that requires 24-hour supervision, due to health and safety concerns for all parties involved. In that case, do research, get referrals and references, and make drop-in visits to various facilities to find the right environment for your loved one, if home care is out of the question. Don't be afraid to visit facilities any time of the day or night, and show up unannounced. It is a good way to get a feel for the way things really are done when "guests" are not expected.
There is an excellent book, The 36 Hour Day. See the related question below for more information about this book. It helped me in seven years of caring for my mother at home with both physical illness and dementia. Although I am an RN, the practical help this book gave was invaluable. It is easily understood by people of varying degrees of prior education about elder care and dementia.
(See Related question.)
What are the benefits ginkgo biloba?
This herb acts to enhance oxygen use and it improves memory, concentration and other things. It improves long distance vision and reverses damage to the retina. It is high in anti oxidants and strengthens the immune system.
A person with dementia is still able to learn great skills. It is advisable to keep them occupied with certain care programs so that they can develop normally.
Does marijuana cause dementia?
Yes, it can, but, just like all other 'side effects' of marijuana, this varies from person to person. Some lose their short term memory from before they smoke, and some can't remember what they did when they smoke. Some don't experience it at all.
Can Fentanyl patches cause dementia?
Fentanyl usage has to be viewed in the proper context - if patches are being used, then the physical pain is considered to be worse than the loss of cognitive function. It isn't prescribed lightly.
Fentanyl can affect a person's cognitive ability, but not that fast. Fentanyl isn't used as a first-time pain medication, only on those who are already tolerant to opiates, so the patient is already tolerant to the overall effects of opiates on their system.
Fentanyl, like most opiates, alters the brain's perception of pain, and can also cause confusion if the dose is too high, or dosage regulation is increased due to increased heart rate or body temperature, which will cause the same effect. There are other things that are typically attributed to dementia that doctors often miss that can affect memory and cognitive function as well. Being hypothyroid (not enough thyroid hormone output) is common in elderly patients, and often written off as dementia or senility. My own grandfather was initially diagnosed this way, until I told my Mom to have them run a thyroid level check on him (it's not normally performed as part of a standard blood screen). Sure enough, it was too low. Low vitamin levels (particularly B-12) can also give the same symptoms of memory problems, and low D3 levels can cause muscle weakness.
My point is that we tend to notice symptoms that are recent rather than to analyze other possible causes for a problem. We're taught from the cradle to trust doctors at their word - if you read my Supervisor bio you'll find out why that's a bad mistake. Dementia and Senility are easy diagnoses, but not always the correct ones. So far I've had 4 friends and relatives misdiagnosed with symptoms of old age, when the real problem was either thyroid or vitamin related, or both.
Low thyroid levels are pretty easy to spot - I learned by seeing my wife after hers was removed many years ago and she had to be hypothyroid for several weeks before her first radiation treatment. I still see it now if she runs out or forgets to take her meds. The first indication is usually temperature regulation, either the person is too hot or too cold. Next is usually memory - the most common is for someone to tell you or ask you something, then repeat the same thing a few minutes later. Longer term, energy goes to pot, stamina, muscle weakness, breathing, etc. It's amazing how much such a little gland affects in our systems.
You can always adjust the dosage to a lower level to see if it helps, but I'd have them check Vitamin and Thyroid levels to be sure. However, having been through it with my own grandfather, in the end, if it's none of those, there's not much they can do.
Why risk-taking can be part of a person centred approach?
Unprotected sex, not wearing their seatbelt in a car, not wearing a Snell or Dot approved helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle or ATV, over-eating, not exercising, consuming too much alcohol or smoking are a few of many of the risks people take with their health. Note, all the above are choices made by the individual that is in their control.
Was the Roman Emperor Nero a prime example of a psychopath experiencing dementia?
Yes, the Roman Emperor Nero was a prime example of a a psychopath experiencing dementia.
Everybody dreams several times through the normal sleep cycles, whether they remember those dreams or not. Rapid Eye Movement sleep, known as REM sleep, is a part of the sleep cycle most noted for vivid dreaming.
When they are asleep but the mind is still fully at work.
To increase safety and comfort and to decrease agitation
What factor may make an individual more vulnerable to abuse relates to than other?
describe three factors tha may make a individuals more vulnerable to abuse others
How do you write a care plan for a patient for a 12 hour period?
TO WRITE A PATIENT CARE PLAN YOU SHOULD START WITH A SHORT TERM GOAL, WHAT NEEDS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED FIRST. THEN A LONG TERM GOAL NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE LONG HAUL. A PLAN IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO KNOW THE CORSE OF ACTION TAKEN AND IS A GREAT COMMUNICATION TOOL FOR THE REST OF THE STAFF INVOLVED WITH THE PATIENT. BE AWARE OF CAUSES; SIGNS/SYMPTOMS FOR THE PATIENTS DX ALSO. HOPE THIS HELPS!!
What are three symptoms of confusion or dementia?
Hello,
I see you are asking "What are the symptoms for dementia?"
The symptoms of dementia can vary and may include:
#Experiencing memory loss, poor judgment, and confusion.
#Difficulty speaking, understanding, and expressing thoughts, or #reading and writing.
#Wandering and getting lost in a familiar neighborhood.
#Trouble handling money responsibly and paying bills.
#Repeating questions.
For more information, you can visit this URL - the mental health help center. com/condition/dementia/c/25144
Sometimes, people can be forgetful at any stage of their life, not only in their teen years but their childhood and adult years.
Was king Solomon suffering from dementia?
No, not according to tradition. He was the wisest of men (1 Kings ch.3).
In Ecclesiastes, which many believe to be written towards the end of his life, he took the position of a 'skeptic' saying such things as 'vanity, vanity, all is vanity.' Certainly as an exceedingly rich and successful king he was in the best position of anyone to see the futility of having everything you want and more. Certainly the end of his life was not as good as his beginning since he disobeyed God's command and married many foreign women who led his heart away from the true God into idolatry.
What are the mental patterns of people who have been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia?
(from Alzheimers Society website) Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a form of dementia that shares characteristics with both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. It accounts for around four per cent of all cases of dementia in older people. Dementia with Lewy bodies is sometimes referred to by other names, including Lewy body dementia, Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease, diffuse Lewy body disease, cortical Lewy body disease and senile dementia of Lewy body type. All these terms refer to the same disorder. This factsheet outlines the symptoms of DLB, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated. DLB appears to affect men and women equally. As with all forms of dementia, it is more prevalent in people over the age of 65. However, in certain rare cases people under 65 may develop DLB. What are Lewy bodies? Lewy bodies, named after the doctor who first identified them in 1912, are tiny, spherical protein deposits found in nerve cells. Their presence in the brain disrupts the brain's normal functioning, interrupting the action of important chemical messengers, including acetylcholine and dopamine. Researchers have yet to understand fully why Lewy bodies occur in the brain and how they cause damage. Lewy bodies are also found in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disease that affects movement. Some people who are initially diagnosed with Parkinson's disease later go on to develop a dementia that closely resembles DLB. What are the symptoms? DLB is a progressive disease. This means that over time the symptoms will become worse. In general, DLB progresses at about the same rate as Alzheimer's disease, typically over several years. * A person with DLB will typically have some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. * They may experience problems with attention and alertness, often have spatial disorientation and experience difficulty with 'executive function', which includes difficulty in planning ahead and co-ordinating mental activities. Although memory is often affected, it is typically less so than in Alzheimer's disease. * They may also develop the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including slowness, muscle stiffness, trembling of the limbs, a tendency to shuffle when walking, loss of facial expression, and changes in the strength and tone of the voice. There are also symptoms that are characteristic of DLB. In addition to the symptoms above, a person with DLB may: * experience detailed and convincing visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), often of people or animals * find that their abilities fluctuate daily, or even hourly * fall asleep very easily by day, and have restless, disturbed nights with confusion, nightmares and hallucinations * faint, fall, or have 'funny turns'. How is it diagnosed? DLB can be difficult to diagnose, and this should usually be done by a specialist. People with DLB are often mistakenly diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia instead. The diagnosis of DLB is made on the basis of the symptoms − particularly visual hallucinations, fluctuation and the presence of the stiffness and trembling of Parkinson's. New brain-imaging tests can also help. It is always important to get an accurate diagnosis of dementia, but a proper diagnosis is particularly important in cases of suspected DLB since people with DLB have been shown to react badly to certain forms of medication (see 'DLB and neuroleptics', below). How is it treated? At present, there is no cure for DLB. Symptoms such as hallucinations may diminish if challenged, but it can be unhelpful to try to convince the person that there is nothing there. It is sometimes better to try to provide reassurance and alternative distractions. Recent research suggests that the cholinesterase inhibitor drugs used to treat Alzheimer's disease may also be useful in treating DLB, although they are not yet licensed for this use. However, recent guidelines from the National Institute of Clinical Evidence (NICE) do suggest that these drugs should be considered for 'people with DLB who have non-cognitive symptoms causing significant distress to the individual, or leading to behaviour that challenges'. People who are experiencing symptoms such as rigidity and stiffness due to parkinsonism may benefit from anti-Parkinson's disease drugs, although these can make hallucinations and confusion worse. Physiotherapy and mobility aids may also help alleviate these problems. DLB and neuroleptics Neuroleptics are strong tranquillisers usually given to people with severe mental health problems. In the past, they have frequently been prescribed to people with dementia. However, it is always preferable to find ways of dealing with a person's distress and disturbance that do not involve medication. Under no circumstances should neuroleptics be prescribed as a substitute for good quality care. For people with DLB, neuroleptics may be particularly dangerous. This class of drugs induce Parkinson-like side-effects, including rigidity, immobility, and an inability to perform tasks or to communicate. Studies have shown that they may even cause sudden death in people with DLB. If a person with DLB must be prescribed a neuroleptic, this should be done with the utmost care, under constant supervision, and should be monitored regularly. The names of many of the major neuroleptics available are listed below. New drugs are appearing from time to time. The generic name is given first, followed by some of the common proprietary (drug company) names for that particular compound: aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine (Largactil), clopenthixol (Clopixol), haloperidol (Haldol, Serenace), olanzapine (Zyprexa), promazine quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), sulpiride (Dolmatil, Sulparex, Sulpitil), trifluoperazine (Stelazine). When caring for someone with DLB, it is important to be as flexible as possible, bearing in mind that the symptoms of DLB will fluctuate. Your local Alzheimer's Society branch will always be willing to talk to you and offer advice and information to support your needs. For more information, Dementia Catalogue, our specialist dementia information resource, is available on the website at alzheimers.org.uk/dementiacatalogue
Can abscessed teeth cause dementia?
Unlikely, unless maybe the abscess enters the brain. But more general problems would be expected then.
How do you prepare for your own person centred review?
describe how to prepare for your own person centred review
Describe your organisations procedure and systems for checking service delivery?
explain their organistion procedures and system for checking service deliverys
