Understanding Dementia

Appendix 1 – Unit 33

Understand the Process and Experience of Dementia

Understand the Neurology of Dementia

      1.1 Describe a range of causes of dementia syndrome

Dementia is a disease which can be caused by many different illnesses, which can bring on the onset of this disease in its different forms. some of the more common ones are: Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB),
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of Dementia, with up to 80% accounting for Dementia Diagnosis. People with this form of Dementia can suffer from a range of symptoms, such as not being able to remember recent conversations, difficulty in communication skills, lack of judgment, and confusion, as well as physical symptoms, of poor balance, difficulty talking and swallowing.  in early symptoms of Alzheimer's, individuals can experience depression and forget names and events.
Vascular Dementia, which is generally caused and previously known as multi- infarctic or Post Stroke Dementia, Is not as common, but still accounts for 10% of Dementia Cases, Symptoms can include Impaired Judgement or the inability to make decisions, this is because of the blood vessel blockage to the brain or the amount of bleeding on the brain caused during the stroke, depending on the location, size and damage done to the brain will determine the severity of the Dementia.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies is the third most common form of Dementia or DLB. It Is a progressive type of Dementia and that slows down the reasoning and independent function in the brain due to the tiny deposits of the protein Alpha-Synuclein found in the brain, which destroy the brain cells over time. Some people who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease, over time can lead to develop the same Symptoms as people with DLB.

      1.2 Describe the types of memory impairment commonly experienced by individuals with Dementia

  The types of memory impairment commonly experienced by individuals...