DEMENTIA

Understand the Process and Experience of Dementia



Outcome 1: Understanding the Dementia's Neurology

Range of Dementia Syndrome's Causes

Fixed cognitive impairments are due to a single event. Traumatic brain injury may cause generalized damage to the white matter of the brain or localized damages. A temporary reduction in the supply of blood and oxygen to the brain may lead to this type of dementia. A stroke or brain infection can also be the cause of dementia. Excessive alcoholic intake results in alcoholic dementia. Use of recreational drugs cause substance induced dementia. Once the over use of these drugs are stopped he impairment persists but may not progress.

Dementia which begins gradually and worsens progressively over several years is usually caused by neurodegenerative disease; that is, by conditions affecting only or primarily the neurons of the brain and causing gradual but irreversible loss of function of these cells. Less commonly, a non-degenerative condition may have secondary effects on brain cells, which may or may not be reversible if the condition is treated. The causes of dementia depend on the age at which symptoms begin. In the elderly population, a large majority of cases of dementia are caused by Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia or both. It is rare to have dementia in young people, Among youngsters also the major dementia observed is Alzheimer's disease. People who are affected by frequent head trauma, like boxers and football players are risk of dementia. Other than alcohol, drugs and psychiatric reasons certain genetic disorders also can cause dementia.

Kinds of Memory Impairment Generally Faced by people with Dementia

Our memory is quite complex mechanism, in which, there are some areas responsible for certain functions. This, of course, quite imaging to determine the processes, but this way is much easier to understand. Short-term memory is sometimes referred to as an operation, as the name implies, it is responsible for storing information - usually in small quantities - and for a short period of time.

With the progression of dementia, sometimes loss of memory for current occasions is rigorous and the individual might come into view to be “living in the past”. Individual might think of himself as immature and may not identify his right age. An individual with dementia disorder might not recognize general facts when he or she is asked about, such as the Prime Minister's name. They might face complexity finding words or recalling name. They might come out to be questioning all the time.

Ways of Information Processing with Reference to the Limitations & Abilities of People with Dementia

Mostly dementia is the result of damage to brain structure that has an affect on functional ability of individuals. This damage causes inability to the brain in sending the proper directions for the needed task sequencing, in spite of the individual being capable physically for performing each task. (Dyspraxia/Apraxia) Learning and Memory are closely associated with each other. There is an involvement of acquiring new information in learning which leads to changes in behaviour or knowledge of individual, whereas, memory is comprised ...