Essay about Understand the Process and Experience of Dementia

Words: 2614
Pages: 11

Outcome 1

1.1Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells and in many ways, from alcoholism, brain injury, drug abuse, side effects to medications, depression, age, thyroid function abnormalities, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Alzheimer’s Dementia is caused by a build-up of proteins which the body no longer breaks down and this affects the transmission of signals.

1.2Memory loss can be defines in different ways. Memory loss can be the inability to retrieve information from the long-term memory (usually happening when the person is distracted or not fully concentrating when the memory is formed), when the new memories replace the old memories stored in brain (experienced by everyone), and the fading away of memories for example numbers
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Outcome 2

2.1Dementia can be very hard to diagnose in the early stages as symptoms can develop slowly or may even be suspected to be the conduct of something else, for example stress causing memory loss. Early diagnosis is essential in order to rule out other conditions that could be treatable, there is a

greater access to advice information and support, and allows the person with dementia and their family to plan and make arrangements for the future. There may be no cure at the moment, but there are medications available that can help the symptoms and slow down the progression of the dementia for some. Early education (enabling the early introduction of specialist services) of dementia also enable the person and their family to understand what may happen in the future, and the person will also be better supported to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. The earlier the diagnosis and follow-up, the sooner the person can start regaining their life again.

2.2Recording a person’s health and well-being on a regular basis is absolutely vital, as