DEMENTIA

Dementia

Abstract

Dementia is a global disorder of intellectual functioning that may affect a wide variety of cognitive processes. Memory impairment is a cardinal feature of dementia, and usually is the most prominent patient complaint in the initial stages of the disorder. Deficiencies in abstract thinking, problem solving, and the ability to shift and maintain cognitive set are also prominent features of most forms of dementia, and should be thoroughly assessed in the dementia evaluation.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Discussion1

Dementing Illnesses2

Symptoms of Dementia3

Diagnosis of Dementia4

Behavioural Problems in Patients with Dementia5

Occupational Therapy Treatment for Patients with Dementia6

Conclusion7

References8

Dementia

Introduction

The loss of mental or cognitive abilities is medically termed as dementia. Most researchers agree that dementia is a symptom of a disease process that is not a natural and normal part of aging. The symptoms of dementia may be caused by more than 70 known diseases, but Alzheimer's disease alone accounts for more than half of the cases. As the older adult population increases, the number of diagnosed cases of dementia continues to rise (Hughes, Berg, Danzinger, Coben & Martin 2002).

Dementia has a strong impact on the family (Hughes, Berg, Danzinger, Coben & Martin 2002). Often, families enter the world of disease and psychosocial disability without a map and often need a guide who will provide support and confirm that they are managing the disease normally. Family therapy is emerging as a major contribution to try to promote adaptation to a new reality and finding a new equilibrium (Hughes, Berg, Danzinger, Coben & Martin 2002).

Discussion

As people progress through dementia, they become more and more compromised in their ability to carry out basic and instrumental activities of daily living. As their abilities decrease, they become less able to process and interpret environmental stimuli (including screening out irrelevant and attending to salient stimuli) and formulate an action plan that leads to successful task completion (Auer & Reisberg 2006).

The frustrations of being unable to complete a requested or desired task can lead to behaviors that further interfere with the ability to complete the task, create a risk for safety, and disturb others who share the environment with the individual (Auer & Reisberg 2006). The inability to accurately interpret environmental stimuli can also lead to behaviors that interfere with task completion, safety, or disturb others.

As individuals with Dementia become increasingly demented, they commonly withdraw from engagement in meaningful occupations (Auer & Reisberg 2006). While not a new idea, modern society is just beginning to realize the importance of engagement in occupation to quality of life. Humans are occupational beings and the lack of meaningful occupations has been associated with poor health, such as maladaptive behavior patterns, depression, and stress-related medical problems. In those with dementia, an abundance of unstructured time can lead to increased behavior problems (Auer & Reisberg 2006). The key is to structure the environment, routines, and tasks so that they support the individual's ability to engage successfully in meaningful occupations.

Dementing Illnesses

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