Alzheimers/Dementia Awareness
Alzheimers/Dementia Awareness
I’m going to start by giving a few definitions on Alzheimers and Dementia, so that up front we can learn that these two things are different. Many people use the two terms interchangeably but they actually are not the same thing. Dementia is a general term used for memory loss which is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is a very broad term, so you may think you’re using it to describe Alzheimer’s disease when really you’re using a broad term which could be any 1 of 10 different forms of Dementia. Alzheimers is a form of Dementia causing problems with memory and behavior. It is the most common form of Dementia, 60%- 80% of Dementia cases are Alzheimers. Many people think that Alzheimers is normal …show more content…
Vascular Dementia cases are about 20%-30% of Dementia cases. Just like Alzheimers, old age is also a risk factor for this form of Dementia. Other risks include heart disease, strokes, and blood vessel disorders.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies or DLB is a progressive form of Dementia that leads to decline in reasoning, thinking, and functioning. This form of Dementia is the cause for 10%-25% of Dementia cases, making it the third most common form. Lewy Bodies are also found in conditions, such as Alzheimers and Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that movement and usually includes tremors. As the brain of someone who has Parkinson’s changes, it effects the memory and attentiveness of the person. About 50%-80% of people with Parkinson’s, eventually develop Parkinson’s disease …show more content…
This is why I chose to do this topic, to teach myself and others about the many different forms of memory loss and how they can affect the human brain. I, like others, really only knew about Dementia as a whole, and Alzheimers. The different types of Dementia opened my eyes to how many different forms memory loss can take.
Working in healthcare, I see a lot of Alzheimers and Dementia. I have many different experiences with these types of patients. Every case of Dementia and Alzheimer’s is different, they affect every patient’s brain and behavior a little differently. Also, every patient’s reaction to certain re-orientation methods are different. Some methods of calming or re-orientating work very well for some patients, some methods will cause the patient to become agitated and violent.
Every person with memory loss shows their emotions differently. Some people cry when they’re confused, some people will lash out on the first person they see, some people will lash out on themselves, some people will just simply isolate themselves, and some people will deny it over and over again. That is why it is so important to be patient with those with memory loss, they aren’t trying to react in this way. They have lost the most special part of themselves, their memory, all the thoughts and memories of all the things they hold dearest to their hearts.
I’m going to start by giving a few definitions on Alzheimers and Dementia, so that up front we can learn that these two things are different. Many people use the two terms interchangeably but they actually are not the same thing. Dementia is a general term used for memory loss which is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is a very broad term, so you may think you’re using it to describe Alzheimer’s disease when really you’re using a broad term which could be any 1 of 10 different forms of Dementia. Alzheimers is a form of Dementia causing problems with memory and behavior. It is the most common form of Dementia, 60%- 80% of Dementia cases are Alzheimers. Many people think that Alzheimers is normal …show more content…
Vascular Dementia cases are about 20%-30% of Dementia cases. Just like Alzheimers, old age is also a risk factor for this form of Dementia. Other risks include heart disease, strokes, and blood vessel disorders.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies or DLB is a progressive form of Dementia that leads to decline in reasoning, thinking, and functioning. This form of Dementia is the cause for 10%-25% of Dementia cases, making it the third most common form. Lewy Bodies are also found in conditions, such as Alzheimers and Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that movement and usually includes tremors. As the brain of someone who has Parkinson’s changes, it effects the memory and attentiveness of the person. About 50%-80% of people with Parkinson’s, eventually develop Parkinson’s disease …show more content…
This is why I chose to do this topic, to teach myself and others about the many different forms of memory loss and how they can affect the human brain. I, like others, really only knew about Dementia as a whole, and Alzheimers. The different types of Dementia opened my eyes to how many different forms memory loss can take.
Working in healthcare, I see a lot of Alzheimers and Dementia. I have many different experiences with these types of patients. Every case of Dementia and Alzheimer’s is different, they affect every patient’s brain and behavior a little differently. Also, every patient’s reaction to certain re-orientation methods are different. Some methods of calming or re-orientating work very well for some patients, some methods will cause the patient to become agitated and violent.
Every person with memory loss shows their emotions differently. Some people cry when they’re confused, some people will lash out on the first person they see, some people will lash out on themselves, some people will just simply isolate themselves, and some people will deny it over and over again. That is why it is so important to be patient with those with memory loss, they aren’t trying to react in this way. They have lost the most special part of themselves, their memory, all the thoughts and memories of all the things they hold dearest to their hearts.