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DEMENTIA

Definition of  Dementia
Dementia facts
Causes of Dementia
Developments in Dementia care
Facts about the brain

What is DEMENTIA

Dementia is a progressive condition which affects the brain and its functions. The term 'demetia' describes a set of symptoms which include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by certain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and damage caused by a series of small strokes.

A Few Facts

  • 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK today
  • The above number is predicted to rise as the population ages
  • 25 million people or 42% of the UK population know someone who has a dementia
  • Only 2.5% of the governments medical research budget is spent on dementia research
  • Nationally – every 3.2 minutes a new case of dementia occurs
  • Dementia is not a normal part of ageing

Dementia is often characterised by a progressive decline of mental abilities and can be accompanied by changes to:

  • Personality
  • Behaviour
  • Memory
  • Abilities
  • Language
  • Mood
  • Emotions
  • Physical Health

The word Dementia covers several types of the illnesses

  • There is no known cure at present
  • There are a number of methods of alleviating some of the persons symptoms

What could cause Dementia

  • Degeneration or loss of nerve cells to the brain
  • Diseases which affect blood vessels such as strokes
  • Toxic reactions
  • Nutritional  deficiencies
  • Infections that affect the brain and spinal cord
  • Certain types of hydrocephalus
  • Head injury
  • Illnesses other than in the brain



Developments in Dementia care

  • Growth in dignity awareness
  • Awareness of abuse
  • Reduction in stigma
  • Person centred care
  • Recognition of deprivation of liberty
  • Growth in media profile
  • Rising expectations for healthcare
  • Earlier diagnosis
  • Drug treatment
  • Growth in research into the Dementias

Types of Dementia

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Vascular Dementia
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies
  • Fronto-temporal Dementia

There are many other rarer diseases that may lead to dementia two examples are Korsakoff’s Syndrome, HIV/AIDS

It is important that whatever type a person has, they should be supported to live well with Dementia

The Brains the Centre

Parietal Lobe

Frontal Lobe

Cerebellum

Occipital Lobe

Temporal Lobe

  • It weighs about 3lb
  • Is made up of a number of parts
  • Its texture is similar to firm jelly or pate
  • Is grey in colour

The Temporal Lobe

 

  • Visual recognition
  • Auditory perception
  • Language understanding

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The Cerebellum

 

  • Coordination
  • Balance
  • Body movement

Frontal Lobe

 

  • Controls many functions including
  • Movement
  • Memory
  • Language
  • Social behaviour
  • Problem solving
  • Decision making
  • Emotions
  • Personality

Parietal Lobe

 

  • Language understanding
  • Touch
  • Temperature
  • Pain

Occipital Lobe

 

  • Visual perception
  • Processes visual information
  • Colour recognition

Sends the above information to the Parietal and Temporal Lobes

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