Essential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Welcome Introductions Group Agreement What will be achieved from this session? South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Main Talking Points how to describe dementia the symptoms of dementia the different types of dementia the differences between dementia, depression and delirium Myth: ‘dementia means you will become incapable of living life with any meaning’ South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Memory Difficulties Difficulties with Thinking Communication Difficulties Difficulties with Functioning What is dementia? Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms. South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Memory difficulties It becomes very hard to remember what has happened recently It becomes difficult to learn new things Memories from the past can become more ‘real’ Can you think of any examples where a person with dementia has difficulties with memory? South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

A combination of symptoms Dementia is more than just difficulties with memory: Cognitive Difficulties: difficulties with thinking Functioning Difficulties: difficulties with doing everyday tasks Communication Difficulties: difficulties with language and comprehension MYTH: Dementia is when a person just loses their memory South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Thinking difficulties It becomes hard to work out how to organise thinking to do everyday tasks It becomes hard to concentrate and focus on tasks Losing track when undertaking a task with multiple stages South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

What causes dementia? Dementia is the result of brain cells being damaged in an ongoing way This happens as a result of a number of different diseases, sometimes referred to as ‘types’ of dementia It is not a normal part of ageing. MYTH: getting older means you will get dementia. South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Main diseases that cause dementia There are 3 main diseases that cause dementia: Alzheimer’s Disease Vascular Dementia Lewy Body Dementia There are lots of others South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

10% 17% 62% 4% 2% 3% South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Diagnosing dementia Tests, for example the Mini Mental State Examination + Scans, for example a CT Scan (computerized axial tomography) + Personal history from person and the person’s relatives Discuss: why is it important for a person to have a diagnosis? South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

The Dementia Journey Awareness Of Difficulties Assessment Diagnosis Living with Dementia Support for : Person with Dementia Support for Carers End of life care South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Changes through dementia Awareness - a person may begin to notice problems, for example, forgetting things. Other people might notice the person not managing their life in the usual way. Assessment/Diagnosis - a person may start to struggle with everyday living, needing prompts and reminders. As it becomes more evident that the person is having difficulties this leads to assessment and a diagnosis. South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Living with dementia Living with dementia.– a person will need increasing ongoing support in a number of areas around everyday living. Enabling a person to live well with dementia by focussing on a person’s strengths and well being is important throughout the course of the illness. It is also essential to provide support, guidance and education about dementia to the carers who are living with the person. South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Effect on feelings and emotions Each person with dementia will respond to the difficulties they experience in an individual way depending on a person’s personality. For some people having a range of difficulties in memory and thinking can result in a person feeling: ….Frustrated ….Angry ….Upset ….Distressed ….Alone ….Frightened South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Person Centred Approaches Working in a person centred way with people with dementia will: Promote well being Use a person’s strengths Encourage positive communication (Refer to bite sized presentation ‘Person Centred Approaches’) South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Other causes of confusion Delirium: Sometimes called ‘Toxic Confusional State’ A person who has delirium can often show similar symptoms to a person who has dementia. Delirium often develops quickly and is usually reversible. South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Possible causes of delirium Anaemia. Low blood sugar, hormone imbalance. Diarrhoea / Constipation Intolerance to medication. Infection: Chest Infection/ Urinary Tract Infection. Period after major operation. South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

What happens: Hallucinations and Delusions are often present and come on quickly Thinking and reasoning are usually affected severely Severe confusion is often present. Important note: A person may have dementia and also have delirium South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Depression A person who is depressed can often show similar symptoms to a person who has dementia. This is because depression affects: Concentration Motivation Ability to manage everyday tasks South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Myth: A person with dementia does not get depressed Important note: A person may have dementia and also be depressed. Treatment options need to be explored for depression and delirium. South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia

Main Talking Points re-visited Any questions? Describe dementia Name the symptoms of dementia Name 3 different types of dementia Describe what happens when a person has delirium and depression South West Dementia PartnershipEssential dementia awareness: describing dementia