Analysis and Description of Dementia

Dementia is characterized as a condition where the mental processes of cognition and memory start to deteriorate. It is described as a syndrome that hinders the daily lives of those who have it and is characterized by memory and thinking impairment. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease and the second most common is vascular dementia. Dementia is a syndrome occurring usually, but not limited, to people over the age of 40 and is due to brain damage caused by natural deteriorating, stroke or can be brought on by factors such as excessive drinking or drug abuse. Dementia is best cared for in its early stages and, therefore, an early diagnosis is essential. Recognizing the symptoms by both the dementia patient and the family are important in starting the diagnosing and treatment processes. Although no treatment can cure dementia, there are many ways to help lessen the symptoms caused by it.

(“What is Dementia?”, 2012).

Dementia involves a gradual deterioration of most cognitive functions such as memory. As the syndrome and thus the side effects progress dementia patients are plagued by poor judgment, trouble speaking, delusions, inability to recognize their loved ones, and the loss of being able to function in society. The combination of these symptoms eventually leads to a need for help with their daily lives. As the syndrome worsens the person can end up in a coma or vegetative state. This causes other problems such as cardiac breathing problems and often results with death (“What is Dementia?”, 2012).

Alzheimer’s Disease can only be conclusively confirmed after death during the autopsy by examining the brain for abnormalities. A probable diagnosis can be made by carefully examining the symptom...

... middle of paper ...

...he experiences of problem recognition and

obtaining a dementia diagnosis among Anglo-Canadians. Health and Social Care in the

Community, 19(4), 372-381. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2010.00982.x

Luttenberger, K., Donath, C., & Uter, W. & Graessel, E. (2012). Effects of multimodal nondrug

therapy on dementia symptoms and need for care in nursing home residents with degenerative dementia: a randomized- controlled study with 6-month follow-up. Journal of The American Geriatrics Society, 60(5), 830-840. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.03938.x

Norton, M. C., Dew, J., & Smith, H., Fauth, E., Piercy, K., … Welsh-Bohmer, K. (2012).

Lifestyle behavior pattern is associated with different levels of risk for incident dementia and alzheimer’s disease: the cache county study. Journal of The American Geriatrics Society, 60(3), 405-412. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03860.x