Dementia

Question 1

Define: dementia

Answer 1

an umbrella term describing a variety of symptoms of a large (100+) group of neurodegenerative diseases and other disorders that cause a progressive decline in mental functioning, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks.

Question 2

General symptoms of dementia?

Answer 2

• Memory loss that disrupts daily functioning (eg. repeating themselves excessively, losing things and not being able to retrace steps, not remembering loved ones)
• Emotional and personality changes
• Withdrawal from work and social activities

Question 3

Describe how dementia progresses.

Answer 3

In stages, progressively worsening. (Memory loss starts early; gets worse so that people can’t funciton independently)

Question 4

What age groups are dementia people affected?

Answer 4

usually older than 80, but as young as 30.

Question 5

Is dementia a normal part of the ageing process?

Answer 5

NO

Question 6

When is dementia irreversible?

Answer 6

When caused by neurodegenerative factors - cell degeneration is irreversible.