Dementia

1. Dementia C C T P o r t f o l i o - J o u r n a l i s m Presentation by: Olivia F.

2. Definition According to Wikipedia, Dementia is a serious loss of global cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. To put it in simpler words, Dementia is loosing thinking ability in your brain, which happens in a person who is previously unimpaired, the loss of function in the brain is more than what you would expect from normal ageing process.

3. Information Dementia is a generic form for conditions such as chronic brain syndrome; Lewy Body Syndrome, PCS, which can result in dementia weeks, months, or years after a concussion.

4. Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia. A loss of nerve cells in areas of the brain vital to memory and other functions. It is prevalent in 50 to 80% of dementia cases It is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S There is no cause, and no treatment to the disease has been found. This disease is very difficult to diagnose with accuracy and can only be confirmed by autopsy.

5. Lewy Body Syndrome Lewy Body Syndrome is another form of dementia. What is Lewy Body Syndrome? Glad you asked. Lewy Bodies appear as spherical masses and displace other cell components. It is identified under microscope when histology is performed on the brain. There are two morphological types: classical (brain Stena) Lewy Bodies and Cortical LB.

6. More about PCS Vascular Dementia is a example. It is dementia due to small stroke complications: abuse by an overstressed caregiver If you are caring for a loved one with Dementia, please try to keep the stress level down, it will only make the dementia worsen.

7. Symptoms In later stages you may not have control over emotions, a personality change. If you have dementia you can lose the ability to speak, delusions, personality change- hostile, judgment compromised, and a change in sleep. May become anxious, aggressive, and even wander from home Obvious memory loss, short time memory in most cases is lost, though loosing longtime memory in later stages is seen. Depression produces similar symptoms of dementia.

8. Care Techniques Except change. What works today may not work tomorrow. Minimize distractions and noise to help the person focus better on what you are saying. They feel unsure of themselves, so providing them with a word or phrase is helpful, and encouraging them. DO NOT treat patient with Elderspeak- talk down to them not purposely, as if they were a young child.

9. Other- Parkinson’s disease A disorder of the brain which leads to shaking (tremors) difficulty with movement, coordination. Having to do with the nervous system.

10. VOCABULARY Cortex- outer layer of an internal organ or body structure cortex (cerebral cortex) composed of faded gray mater, play important role in consciousness. Cerebrum- large rounded structure of the brain occupying most of the cranial cavity, divided into two cerebral hemispheres that are joined at the bottom by the corpus callosum. It controls and integrates motor, sensory, and higher mental functions; thought, reason, emotions, memory.