Dementia awareness Essay Example for Free

Dementia aw atomic number 18ness EssayThe learner can1. justify what is meant by the term dementia2. Describe the key functions of the brain that are come uponed by dementia3. Explain why depression, delirium and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia. Outcome 2 Understand key features of the theoretical models of dementia The learner can1. Outline the medical model of dementia2. Outline the social model of dementia3. Explain why dementia should be viewed as a disability.Outcome 3 Know the some park types of dementia and their causesThe learner can1. List the close common causes of dementia 2. Describe the likely signs and symptoms of the most common causes of dementia 3. Outline the risk factors for the most common causes of dementia 4. Identify prevalence rate for different types of dementia. Outcome 4 Understand factors relating to an individuals experience of dementia The learner can1. Describe how different individuals may experience life story with de mentia depending on age, type of dementia, and level of ability and disability 2. Outline the impact that the attitudes and behaviours of others may encounter on an individual with dementia.SUGGESTED GUIDANCE ANSWERSOUTCOME 1For a start what does dementia mean? Very simply for such a complex area, it is an illness of the brain. What is the difference between Alzheimers and dementia? The rule book dementia is an umbrella term, which covers all the various dementias including Alzheimers. Alzheimers is the one widely recognized, and accounts for about sixty per cent, of all the dementias. Dementia is a term that is used to delimit a collection of symptoms including memory loss, problems with reasoning and communication skills, and a reduction in a souls abilities and skills in carrying out daily activities such as washing, dressing, formulation and caring for self.Memory loss this can be one of the first symptoms that state notice. The observations people report include noticin g their loved ones forgetting things that have happened earlier in the day, getting confused about messages and who people are, getting lost whilst out and about, repeating themselves, and appearing not to be paying attention or pursuit conversations.Problems with communication Some people experience problems with expressing themselves, talking and understanding things. They get confused about words and might use the wrong words for common things and mix words up. Reading and understanding written text can become problematic. There are a number of different types of dementia the most common being Alzheimers disease, vascular dementia, Fronto temporal dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies. Some people get diagnosed as having mixed dementia this is when the presentation shows the person to have elements of more than one type of dementia. Dementia is a progressive condition, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. This progression will vary from person to person and each person will experience dementia in a different way. Although the person will have some of the above symptoms, the degree to which they affect an individual will vary and not all people will have all of these symptoms.2.Areas of the brain modify by dementia are shown in the diagram belowpicThe temporal lobe of the brain if affected by dementia will mean the sufferer will forget e very day functions, and how to consummate them, relatives names and faces, their past life, and friends they have known for years. Simple tasks that they used to perform with ease, become difficult to perform, and they have to learn how to do them again. Sufferers can forget conversations and instructions, and ask to be reminded on a regular basis, and given prompts to remind them the topic of conversation, or what they are supposed be doing next for example. The frontal lobe of the brain if affected by dementia can mean that the sufferer is unaware that their behaviour is unaccept commensurate, or not th e norm.The sufferer can become agitated very quickly, and suffer from depression. They may be unaware of apparent dangers, and unable to recognise what is acceptable or unacceptable behaviours. They may have violent outbursts, and exhibit morose behaviour to others. The parietal lobe of the brain if affected by dementia affects language skills. This means that communication skills could be reduced. The person may not be able to find the appropriate words to use, or may not understand questions asked of them. They may not relate words to the correct objects for instance if they pick up a cup, but call it a pot.3.Depression, memory problems, and delirium may be mistaken for dementia because these are often the onset symptoms of dementia, and thereof may be mistaken for the start of dementia in the elderly. Some symptoms of dementia are similar to symptoms of some mental health conditions. It is important that a comprehensive assessment is carried out if service users start to displa y symptoms such as confusion, poor memory or apathy. These could be indicators of dementia, but they could also be symptoms of depression, or other mental health conditions.OUTCOME 21.The medical model of dementia is of mental decline. This approach makes it hard to focus on exploit a persons abilities and improving their quality of life. Putting physical problems and emotional states down to brain damage, the medical model overlooks the social world of people with dementia, and concentrates on the illness, rather than the person.2.The social model of dementia sees the person rather than the illness or disease. It puts the focus on what a person can do, (positives), instead of focussing on what the person can no longer do (negatives). The social model looks at ways to improve the quality of life, and experiences of dementia, and generate techniques for the dementia sufferer, to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. The social model recognises and includes the individuals social, r ecreational, spiritual needs, instead of just their medical or personal explosive charge needs.