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Dementia 07/28/20, Important and ongoing Assessments - Coggle Diagram
Dementia 07/28/20
Pathophysiology
Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, it is the second most common dementia type.
Lewy body dementia (DLB) is a common form of cognitive impairment, accounting for 30% of dementia cases in ages over 65 years.
cognitive impairment or dementia have sleep disturbances, and is linked to poorer disease prognosis.
hypo-metabolism patterns are indicative of different neurodegenerative conditions, even from the earliest disease phase.
Young-onset dementia is a neurological syndrome that affects behavior and cognition of patients younger than 65 years of age
Sleep disruption, and fatigue, predict cognitive impairment.
Dementia is a symptom of a variety of specific structural brain diseases as well as several system degeneration.
Brain imaging (neuroimaging) studies are recognized as an important component of the evaluation of any individual with a prominent change in cognitive functioning. Neuroimaging techniques fall into two major categories
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning uses radioactively labeled tracers to investigate the brain’s inner workings. Pictures of the brain distribution of radioactively labeled glucose is injected intravenously.
Medical History and Mental Status Examination
Clinical assessment of a patient’s history and performing a mental status examination are necessary steps in the evaluation of cognitive disorders. In identifying the presence of AD, the presence of a typical slow and insidious progression of symptoms is sought.
Blood Tests
Recently there has been excitement about the future availability of a blood test that can identify the presence of AD, but currently available blood tests are not able to do this
Neuropsychological Screening Tests
Brief Neuropsychological Assessment Tools such as the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) are available to screen for cognitive difficulties, although large scale routine screening of asymptomatic people is not recommended
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Patient Education
Prevent falls. Avoid scatter rugs, extension cords and any clutter that could cause falls. Install handrails or grab bars in critical areas.
Use locks. Install locks on cabinets that contain anything potentially dangerous, such as medicine, alcohol, guns, toxic cleaning substances, dangerous utensils and tools.
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Take fire safety precautions. Keep matches and lighters out of reach. If the person with dementia smokes, always supervise smoking. Make sure a fire extinguisher is accessible and the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries
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Medications
Donepezil is used to treat confusion dementia related to Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to function.
Rivastigmine acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, works by increasing the levels of a brain chemical called acetylcholine , allows the nerve cells to communicate. This may improve the symptoms of dementia . Rivastigmine can be taken orally, either as capsules or a liquid, or by applying a patch on the skin.
Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe confusion dementia related to Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to perform daily functions.
Cholinesterase inhibitors block the action of acetylcholinesterase. Blocking the enzyme that destroys acetylcholine with a cholinesterase inhibitor (anticholinesterase). increases the concentration of acetylcholine in the brain, and this increase may improve memory and cognitive function.
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cholinesterase inhibitor is designed to reduce the activity of the cholinesterases,slowing down the breakdown of acetylcholine
Behavioral Interventions
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Focus on feelings, not the facts. ...
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Medical Interventions
Therapies
These approaches might help jog your loved one’s memory and thinking skills -- or at least give them pleasure and brighten their day. Make sure anything they try helps their quality of life and doesn’t make them feel frustrated or overwhelmed.
Check Hearing and Vision
Seeing and hearing properly are especially important for someone with dementia. Trouble seeing can make it harder to recognize familiar people or things. Vision or hearing problems can also make dementia symptoms like confusion worse as well as make your loved one feel more alone.
Counseling and Support
A dementia diagnosis is stressful. If your loved one needs help coming to terms with it, ask the doctor treating their dementia to refer you to a trained mental health professional.
Reminiscence therapy might include things like talking with your loved one about their hometown, school days, work life, or favorite hobbies. It can be done one-on-one or in groups as part of an organized therapy. The person leading the session might use music from your loved one’s past, or things like photos or treasured items, to help.
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