Dementia Awareness
CU238P Dementia Awareness
1.1
Explain what is meant by the term ‘dementia’.
The term dementia is used to describe an illness that affects the memory. Patients can suffer from forgetfulness, loss of memory and the inability to remember new information. As well as being unable to speak and be understood by others and be unable to carry out general tasks. Patients can also suffer from mood changes and all reasoning. This all has an effect on daily routines and people become unable to look after themselves properly and manage their own personal care.
1.2
Describe the key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia.
The key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia are the frontal lobe which controls behaviour, movement and personality. The temporal lobe which controls memory, speech and hearing. The parietal lobe which controls language, special awareness and recognition and the occipital lobe which controls visual processing.
1.3
Explain why depression, delirium and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia.
Depression, delirium and age related impairment can be mistaken for dementia as they all have similar signs and symptoms.
Some of the signs that are similar between depression and dementia are - * low mood or sadness * feeling hopeless and helpless * feeling irritable and intolerant of others * having no motivation or interest in things * finding it difficult to make decisions * feeling anxious or worried * moving or speaking more slowly than usual * disturbed sleep - finding it hard to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning * having difficulties in your home and family life
Some of the signs and symptoms that are similar between delirium and dementia are - * An inability to stay focused on a topic or to change topics * Wandering attention * Getting stuck on an idea rather than responding to questions or
1.1
Explain what is meant by the term ‘dementia’.
The term dementia is used to describe an illness that affects the memory. Patients can suffer from forgetfulness, loss of memory and the inability to remember new information. As well as being unable to speak and be understood by others and be unable to carry out general tasks. Patients can also suffer from mood changes and all reasoning. This all has an effect on daily routines and people become unable to look after themselves properly and manage their own personal care.
1.2
Describe the key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia.
The key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia are the frontal lobe which controls behaviour, movement and personality. The temporal lobe which controls memory, speech and hearing. The parietal lobe which controls language, special awareness and recognition and the occipital lobe which controls visual processing.
1.3
Explain why depression, delirium and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia.
Depression, delirium and age related impairment can be mistaken for dementia as they all have similar signs and symptoms.
Some of the signs that are similar between depression and dementia are - * low mood or sadness * feeling hopeless and helpless * feeling irritable and intolerant of others * having no motivation or interest in things * finding it difficult to make decisions * feeling anxious or worried * moving or speaking more slowly than usual * disturbed sleep - finding it hard to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning * having difficulties in your home and family life
Some of the signs and symptoms that are similar between delirium and dementia are - * An inability to stay focused on a topic or to change topics * Wandering attention * Getting stuck on an idea rather than responding to questions or