Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of related symptoms that are caused by an ongoing decline of areas in the brain. Dementia is a common condition and the number of people living with dementia is said to double over the next 30 years. When talking about dementia people usually refer to Alzheimer's disease. However, Alzheimer's disease is only one of a "family" of dementias. The most common dementias are:
Alzheimer's disease , where small plagues or clumps of protein are formed in the brain which disrupts the normal workings of the brain.
Vascular dementia , where brain damage occurs due to problems with blood circulation to parts of the brain.
Dementia with Lewy bodies, where abnormal structures, known as Lewy bodies, develop inside the brain.
Frontotemporal dementia, where the frontal and temporal parts of the brain begin to shrink. This type of dementia is much rarer than other types of dementia, can occur as a result of neurodegenerative diseases and can affect people under the age of 65.
Symptoms associated with dementia relate to:
- Difficulties with memory
- Difficulties with thinking processes
- Difficulties with language
- Difficulties with understanding and the ability to make judgements.
- Difficulties with emotion regulation
- Behavioural difficulties
- Personality changes
Assessing Cognitive Problems for people with Dementia will help identify the specific cognitive and psychological difficulties of each individual and will clarify if the presented difficulties are consistent with the diagnosis of their illness. The process of assessment is thorough and can take up to 3 1/2 hours, but can be adjusted to a shorter time-span if needed.
With support the difficulties associated with Dementia can be managed and improved upon by using specific exercises and interventions, coping strategies and management techniques.