Introduction
As a a CNA who works in a skilled nursing facility, I come in
contact with residents who suffer from different types of dementia. I will discuss the different types of
dementia and how you can make the most for you or a loved one who suffers from
it.
Dementia is not a disease as more of a disorder that deals
with memory and thinking, concentration, orientation, language, judgment,
visuospatial skills, and sequencing.
Sometimes patients can have dementia-like symptoms that can be
reversible from such things like Vitamin B-12 deficiency, side effects from
medication, depression, thyroid/endocrine problems, infections, electrolyte
problems, or dehydration.
Other conditions like constipation, acute/chronic pain, or a
lack of sleep can or may worsen dementia symptoms.
It is important for caregivers to understand their patients or
loved ones world by focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses, and allowing
them time to complete a task,yet learn to recognize when they are struggling
and need assistance. We should be able
to be their voice in a confusing and frustrating world.
Types of Dementia
Alzheimer's Disease
With this type of dementia, the patient may:
•
Be confused about where he is or what day or year it is
•
Have problems speaking or writing
•
Lose things or be unable to backtrack to find them
•
Have poor judgment
•
Have mood or personality changes
Vascular Dementia
This type of dementia usually results when a patient suffers a
major stroke, or a series of silent strokes, which happen without the patient
knowing. In other words, it depends on
the part of the brain that was affected during the stroke.
Some symptoms include:
•
Memory problems disrupting the patient's life
•
Trouble speaking or understanding speech
•
Problems recognizing familiar sights and sounds
•
Becoming confused or agitated
•
Changes in mood or personality
•
Problems walking or frequent falls
Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
This type of dementia is caused by microscopic deposits of
protein in the brain that have formed in the cortex of the brain.
Some symptoms of DLB are:
•
Problems thinking clearly, making decisions, or paying
attention
•
Memory problems
•
Visual hallucinations, or seeing things that aren't
there
•
Unusual sleepiness during the day
•
Periods of “blanking out” or staring
•
Problems with movement, like trembling, slowness, or
trouble walking
•
Dreams where the patient acts out physically, like
talking, walking, or kicking
Parkinson's Dementia
This type of dementia develops in 50 – 80% of patients with
Parkinson's, which is a disorder of the nervous system. It is similar to DLB and symptoms can occur
about 10 years after the patient first gets Parkinson's.
Mixed Dementia
This is a combination of two types of dementia, most commonly,
Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia. It
too depends on the part of the brain that is affected.
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
This type of dementia results when the patient develops some
type of cell damage in the brain that affects judgment, emotions, speech, and
some types of movement.
Some symptoms include:
•
Personality and behavior changes
•
A sudden lack of inhibitions in a personal and social
situations
•
Problems coming up with the rights words when speaking
•
Movement problems, like shakiness, balance problems,
and muscle spasms
Huntington's Disease
This type of dementia is an inherited condition. If a patient has this gene, symptoms may show
up between the ages of 30 and 50 years.
Some symptoms of this dementia include:
•
Thinking and reasoning
•
Memory
•
Judgment
•
Planning and organizing
•
Concentration
Cruetzfeldt-Jakob Disease
This is a rare condition that results when proteins, or
prions, cause normal protein in the brain to fold into abnormal shapes. The damage happens suddenly and quickly
becomes worse.
Some symptoms are:
•
Memory and concentration problems
•
Poor judgment
•
Confusion
•
Mood swings
•
Depression
•
Sleep problems
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
This type of dementia results when there is a build up of
fluid in the brain. Symptoms can result
in problems walking, thinking, concentrating, and personality and behavior
changes.
It can be treated by draining fluid in the brain from a long,
thin tube, called a shunt, into the abdomen.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
This type of dementia usually results when there is a shortage
of thiamine (Vitamin B-1) in the body. It
is usually found in patients who have been long-term heavy drinkers.
Memory is the most common symptom, but usually doesn't affect
a person's problem solving or thinking skills.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember is not all cases are
similar and no two cases are alike.
Being the patients voice in a
confusing and frustrating world is the best thing caregivers and family members
can do to help loved ones who suffer from dementia.
References
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