DEMENTIA

Clinical Science of Dementia



Clinical Science of Dementia

Introduction

Dementia is becoming a major concern for people in United Kingdom. According to the Alzheimer's Society charity, it has been estimated that more than 320, 000 of the 4000, 000 people residing care homes of Wales, England, Northern Ireland have dementia. The figures mentioned are thirty percent higher than the previous estimates due to rise in the ageing population seen in the area. In UK alone, there are approximately 800,000 people who are currently suffering from dementia, with even more cases left undiagnosed. Experts, all over UK, expect this number to rise to 950, 000 by 2021. Studies suggest that approximately one in every three people is likely to suffer from some form of dementia in their lifetime by the age of 65 years. This is the reason it is becoming a major concern for the local authorities to provide appropriate care to the affected individuals as it is becoming increasingly difficult. (Triggle, 2013)

It put a lot of responsibility on the government to improve care for people suffering from dementia. Their goal is to improve the awareness of the condition among people and making them understand it better. This also assists in reducing the number of undiagnosed cases. Furthermore, government also needs to fund further researches to find improved treatment options and hopefully a cure. Currently, there are approximately 20,000 care homes in the region providing the special care that sufferers of dementia require. (Triggle, 2013)

Discussion

Case scenario

A patient of 67 years of age suffering from increasing dementia is admitted to the hospital. The history of the patient suggests a progressive decline in his cognitive functions beginning three years before admission. It took neurologists a year to diagnose progressive dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. Two months before the admission, the family noticed him being more agitated. At this time, trazodone was prescribed which lead to transient period of the patient staring into space and not responding to his surroundings. His family also informed about the several falls the patient experienced with apparent loss of consciousness, but no apparent injury was reported. A week before admission, he punched his wife when she refused to let him drive. Soon afterwards, he started unusual behaviour, such as looking under the bed several times; locking the windows and doors, and becoming convinced that the neighbour's are trying to steal his car; and subsequently wandered from his home. In view of the situation, patient's family were unable to cope of with his behaviour and referred him to the hospital. (Drachman and Newell, 1999, p. 1269)

The patient was a professional boxer for ten years. During his adolescent years, he drank excessive alcohol; however, he was sober for decades now. His family was free from any psychiatric diseases; however, a sibling suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and dies ten years earlier. The physical examination, at the hospital, was unremarkable. During neurological examination, the patient was alert; however, he was oriented only to himself. According to him, the year was 1970, and he ...