Dementia Awareness

Explain what is meant by the term ‘dementia’.

Describe the key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia.

1.2: Key functions, for example:

• damage to brain cells so that brain cells can no longer communicate with each other
• when cells in a particular region are damaged, that region cannot carry out its functions normally, for example, memory, judgement, movement

Describe the early signs of dementia. 

1.3: Early signs, for example:

• memory problems, especially short-term
• decline in communication, struggling to follow or join a conversation
• recognition and coordination difficulties
• disorientation
• changes of behaviour, judgement or mood
• loss of daily life skills

Explain why depression, delirium and age-related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia.

Outline the medical model of dementia.

Outline the social model of dementia.

Explain why dementia should be viewed as a disability.

2.3: Why dementia should be viewed as a disability, for example:

• people with learning disabilities, and in particular Down's Syndrome, are at greater risk of developing dementia
• similar symptoms between those with disabilities and dementia, for example, memory loss, difficulty with thought processes, problem-solving or language problems

Describe the most common causes of dementia.

3.1: Common causes of dementia, for example:

• Alzheimer’s disease – abnormal protein build‑up causing brain cell damage
• vascular dementia – reduced oxygen supply occurs when blood vessels in the brain become narrowed or blocked, often following a stroke or due to disease affecting the small blood vessels (subcortical vascular dementia)
• frontotemporal dementia – clumps of abnormal proteins affect the front and side parts of the brain, causing cells to die
• dementia with Lewy bodies – involves tiny abnormal structures forming inside the brain, which leads to the death of brain cells

Outline the risk factors for the most common causes of dementia.

3.2: Risk factors, for example:

• age-related – risk increases significantly from age 65 onwards
• genetics
• lifestyle, for example, higher blood pressure in mid-life, smoking, type 2 diabetes
• learning disability

Identify prevalence rates for different types of dementia.

Describe how different individuals may experience living with dementia depending on age, type of dementia, and level of ability and disability.

4.1: How different individuals may experience living with dementia, for example:

• ability to maintain independence as long as possible
• need to access services on a day-to-day basis
• as a person gets older, physical deterioration and dementia may necessitate other forms of support
• increased levels of confusion and concerns for safety

Outline the impact that the attitudes and behaviours of others may have on an individual with dementia.

4.2: Impact, for example:

• depression
• isolation, as the person does not want to go out
• people become more supportive and caring following the diagnosis

Describe how to support people with dementia to make their own decisions.

5.1: How to support people with dementia, for example:

• ensuring hearing and sight aids are working properly and being used
• explaining things in a way that is easy to understand
• using pictures to help someone choose
• choosing the best time of day to talk about decisions
• by using an interpreter or involving a person with a more detailed understanding of their communication methods, if needed

Give examples of how to make an environment more dementia-friendly.