Essay on Dementia in Elder Adults - 1870 Words

Dementia is the most feared and distressing disorder of later life. This essay will give an overview of dementia followed by the most common types of dementia. The essay will cover the nursing assessment and the interventions. Issues relating to sleeping disorders will be identified and it will also explore the care required in relation to these sleeping problems for an older patient / client suffering from dementia, as well as patient and carer advice. Analysis of Dementia Overview The term dementia means a serious loss in memory and other intellectual abilities in a formally unimpaired person, further than what might be expected from normal ageing (Dhanani Wilkins, 2008). The origin of the word dementia is from a latin word†¦show more content†¦In the early stages, the most commonly known symptom is the failure to acquire new memories, such as difficulty in remembering recently viewed facts. As the disease progress, symptoms include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and the general isolation of the victim as the senses decline. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, finally leading to death (Corliss, Gilbert, Growdon, 2009). Frontotemporal dementia is a clinical syndrome affected by the collapse of the frontal lobe of the brain and may continue back to the temporal lobe. It is one of three syndromes caused by frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and the second most common dementia after Alzheimers disease (Giannakopoulos, Hof, Hof, 2009). Miller (2009, p. 269), claims that â€Å" Frontotemporal dementia is often discovered in people at the age between 52 and 56 years, but it has also been reported in people between the age of 21 and 85 years.† The symptoms contain weak thoughts and problem solving skills, using words incorrectly, lack of vision, self neglect (Miller, 2009). Diagnosis is difficult, because the behavioural changes are similar to other illness like depression, schizophrenia, and antisocial personality. There is no particular treatment apart from protection against the disease and supervision. (Saxon, Etten Perkins, 2010). Vascular dementia isShow MoreRelatedCaring For Loved Ones : Elder Abuse Essay1576 Words   |  7 PagesCARING FOR LOVED ONES: ELDER ABUSE IN THE U.S. Although there are agencies and policies to protect the elderly, elder abuse is prevalent in the United States due to ambiguity, underreporting, and underfunding. In 1994, the National Long Term Care Survey found that over 7 million family members provided 120 hours of care to elders. It is extremely demanding and hard to care for the elderly, which causes stress that can then lead to neglect and/or abuse. 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