NVQ3, DEM 301
Understand the process and experience of dementia 1.1 Describe a range of causes of dementia syndrome
Dementia is not a single disease, but rather a non-specific illness syndrome (i.e., set of signs and symptoms). Is a broad term used to describe a range of signs and symptoms consistent with damage to the brain caused by specific conditions. These signs and symptoms are associated with progressive and degenerative changes in the intellectual functioning. The brain is a complex organ and is divided up into different areas that control different functions within the body. The brain contains around 100 billion cells. In dementia some of these cells stop working properly.
The part of the brain that this occurs in will affect how that person thinks, remembers and communicates. Senile dementia is a term that refers to dementia in people aged over 65. It is not uncommon for people under the age of 65 to develop dementia. This is known as early onset dementia.
Some people with learning disabilities are at risk of developing dementia in adult life. People with Down’s syndrome are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The risk of Alzheimer’s increases as the person gets older. It is estimated that over half of the people with Down’s syndrome will develop Alzheimer’s disease when they are in their 60s.
There are different types of dementia with a variety of causes.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) usually presents with loss of memory, especially for learning new information and later behaviour that challenges. Symptoms commonly include depression, apathy, agitation, disinhibition, psychosis (delusions and hallucinations), wandering, aggression, incontinence and altered eating habits.
Vascular dementia (VaD) can present after an acute vascular event (for example, a stroke) planning problems, gait disturbance and apraxia (loss of ability to perform previously learned tasks). Behaviours that challenge are also common in VaD, with depression and apathy seen
Dementia is not a single disease, but rather a non-specific illness syndrome (i.e., set of signs and symptoms). Is a broad term used to describe a range of signs and symptoms consistent with damage to the brain caused by specific conditions. These signs and symptoms are associated with progressive and degenerative changes in the intellectual functioning. The brain is a complex organ and is divided up into different areas that control different functions within the body. The brain contains around 100 billion cells. In dementia some of these cells stop working properly.
The part of the brain that this occurs in will affect how that person thinks, remembers and communicates. Senile dementia is a term that refers to dementia in people aged over 65. It is not uncommon for people under the age of 65 to develop dementia. This is known as early onset dementia.
Some people with learning disabilities are at risk of developing dementia in adult life. People with Down’s syndrome are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The risk of Alzheimer’s increases as the person gets older. It is estimated that over half of the people with Down’s syndrome will develop Alzheimer’s disease when they are in their 60s.
There are different types of dementia with a variety of causes.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) usually presents with loss of memory, especially for learning new information and later behaviour that challenges. Symptoms commonly include depression, apathy, agitation, disinhibition, psychosis (delusions and hallucinations), wandering, aggression, incontinence and altered eating habits.
Vascular dementia (VaD) can present after an acute vascular event (for example, a stroke) planning problems, gait disturbance and apraxia (loss of ability to perform previously learned tasks). Behaviours that challenge are also common in VaD, with depression and apathy seen