What is Dementia?
Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a term used to describe impaired ability to remember, think or make decisions and that interferes with everyday activities.
What are the 5 main causes of dementia?
Alzheimers Disease (60%) Dementia with Lewdy bodies (15%) Vascular Dementia (15%) Frontotemporal Dementia (5%) Other/Mixed (5%)
What is Alzheimers Disease?
Inside the brain neurofibrillary tangles disrupt brain cell communication and cause necrosis. Also a shortage of key neurotransmitters.
What is Dementia with Lewy bodies?
Similar to Alzheimers. Accumulation of proteins (called lewy bodies) in nerve cells in part of brain that takes care of movement, thinking and memory. Causes necrosis.
What is Vascular Dementia?
Caused by poor bloody supply to brain.
Categorised as either:
- Post-stroke dementia
- Multi-infarct dementia
- Subcortical dementia
Symptoms similar to Alzheimer
What is Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)?
Rare.
Caused by proteins inside nerve cells in frontal/ temporal lobes.
Results in altered behaviour and language.
What are some typical dementia S&S?
- Loss of Orientation
- Aphasia
- Not recognising known faces
- Mobility issues
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Misinterpreting colours
What are some ways dementia impacts on others?
- Carers become isolated
- It can change relationships (stress)
- Financial Cost
- It impacts psychological & Physical Heath
What can you do to reduce risk of dementia?
Mange risk factors
- physical activity
- healthy eating
- Not smoking
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Exercising the mind
Early diagnosis intervention is really important in dementia, why?
Early diagnosis leads to:
- Decreases institutionalisation likelihood
- Reduce behavioural disturbance
- improves quality of life
What resource is a good guide for making a home dementia friendly?
‘Making your home Dementia Friendly’
Produced by Alzheimers Society
What are the health implications of loneliness?
- Increases likelihood of mortality 26%
- Increases risk of CAD & Stroke
- Increase risk of High BP
- Increase risk of disability
- Higher falls risk
