1.1 Define the term ‘dementia’
Dementia is a term describing a collection of symptoms connected to a steady decline in mental abilities, severe enough to disrupt daily living. Mainly impacting memory, critical thinking, problem-solving, and the capacity to do everyday tasks, dementia does not refer to a single illness but rather signifies a disorder brought on by various diseases that affect the brain (Alzheimer’s Association, 2020).
The most widely recognized source is Alzheimer’s disease which makes up 60-80% of dementia cases (World Health Organization [WHO], 2017). However, other circumstances can also lead to dementia including vascular dementia resulting from strokes or other interruptions in blood flow to the brain and Lewy body dementia linked with abnormal protein buildups in nerve cells.
When analysing dementia, medical experts evaluate cognitive impairment through reasoning and judgment tests along with exhaustive physical checkups ensuring treatable factors — like vitamin shortages or thyroid problems — are not incorrectly assumed to be degenerative processes.
To understand how dementia grows and impacts individuals:
- It usually starts with mild cognitive problems – forgotten talks or misplaced possessions.
- As it progresses, more noticeable disruptions appear: challenges emerge in managing money or navigating well-known locales.
- Advanced phases show up as individuals require help with basic physical functions and battle to recognise loved ones.
Importantly, while it mostly happens in older people, it is not an unavoidable aspect of ageing. Embracing healthy lifestyles may reduce risks based on current research (Deckers et al., 2015).
In conclusion, when referring to dementia, we discuss human brains working less effectively than they once did. Equipping ourselves with insight into preventative tactics could be vital for future wellness.
Other answers in the full document:
- 1.2 Describe key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia
- 1.3 Explain why depression, delirium and age-related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia
- 2.1 Outline the medical model of dementia
- 2.2 Outline the social model of dementia
- 2.3 Explain why dementia should be viewed as a disability
- 3.1 List causes of dementia
- 3.2 Describe signs and symptoms of dementia
- 3.3 Identify causal risk factors for types of dementia
- 3.4 Identify prevalence rates for types of dementia
- 4.1 Describe how individuals may experience living with dementia
- 4.2 Outline the impact that the attitudes and behaviours of others may have on an individual with dementia