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Dementia Masterclass December 2013 Types of Dementia, key features, prognostic issues and when to re-refer. Dr A R McMahon ST4 Old Age Psychiatry
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Objectives of this session Outline the key presenting features of types of dementia Outline the difficulties in terms of the prognosis of dementia When to re-refer to Old Age Services.
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Alzheimer’s Dementia Presenting Features: Insidious nature, subtle presentation. Prognostic Features: Later onset of psychotic features. Family support, maintaining a good level of function. Impact of carer stress on situation. Considering the introduction of social care Potential use of anti-psychotics (short vs. long term) Impact of infection on the patient with Alzheimer’s: Delirium on Dementia. When to Re-refer? Red Flags in Alzheimer’s Dementia Concerns with change in mental state: the emergence of a severe depressive or psychotic episode Considering medications: use of psychotropic medications, compliance and safety issues Capacity and Best Interests considerations
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Vascular Dementia Presenting Features: Stepwise deterioration in vascular dementia Emotional lability Prognostic Features: Deteriorating course with vascular events, cerebro-vascular changes Depression vs. Emotional lability Emergence of pschotic features (and the use of Psychotropic medications in vascular dementia) Red Flags for re-referral in Vascular Dementia: Emotional lability/unstable mental state and associated features, e.g. aggression and carer stress, especially with a VULNERABLE carer Involving local services to support changing need: Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Services, Old Age Psychiatry team. Safeguarding issues
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Lewy Body Dementia (DLB) Presenting Features: Difficulty in (early) diagnosis of DLB Parkinsonian features, fluctuating cognitions and vivid hallucinatory experiences. Neuroleptic sensitivity. Prognostic Features: Unpredictable course, difficult to outline prognostic features Physical implications Increased requirements for care Advanced planning and social care Delirium in DLB Red Flags for re-referral in Lewy Body Dementia: Medication support, difficult prescribing Distress, sleep problems, ‘night terrors’. Hallucinations
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Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD) Presenting Features: Younger onset Personality change, or language problems as an early feature of FTD. Prognostic Features: Prognosis is difficult to predict: rapid and progressive vs. slow and stable. Significant carer stress Capacity/consent and safeguarding issues (e.g. children in the home) Changing mental state/Changing level of need Red Flags for re-referral in Fronto-Temporal Dementia: Changing mental state: consideration of psychotropic medications to treat emerging symptoms Utilising Community teams: YODS/Social Services
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Re-referral to services Medication Deteriorating mental state - from difficult to treat depression, to acute Mental Health Act referrals Challenging behaviour Specialist community support Safeguarding concerns Capacity assessment/consent issues Carer support and signposting
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Thank you Any questions?
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