Cognitive Changes vs. Dementia
What is dementia?
Normal aging may cause slower thinking, but this condition causes serious memory loss that affects daily life.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
The most common type of dementia.
What is early (mild) stage?
Mild memory loss and difficulty finding words occur in this stage.
What is sundowning?
Increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening.
What are proper communication strategies?
Approach from the front, use simple sentences, and maintain eye contact.
What is delirium?
Temporary confusion caused by illness, infection, or medication is called this.
What is vascular dementia?
Dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
What is middle (moderate) stage?
Increased confusion and need for help with daily activities occur in this stage.
What is wandering?
Aimless walking that may put the resident at risk.
What is validation therapy?
Accepting the person’s reality instead of correcting them is called this.
Name 3 calming/redirecting techniques.
Speak softly
Offer reassurance
Use touch appropriately
What is Lewy body dementia?
Dementia that may include hallucinations and Parkinson-like symptoms.
What is late (severe) stage?
Loss of ability to communicate and total care required occurs in this stage.
What is perseveration?
Repeating the same word, question, or action over and over.
What is redirection?
Changing the subject or offering an activity to stop a behavior is called this.
What is normal cognitive aging?
Forgetting names occasionally but remembering later is an example of this.
What is frontotemporal dementia?
Dementia affecting personality and behavior first.
What is early or middle stage?
Repeating questions and getting lost are common in this stage.
What is a patient that shows aggression?
Physical or verbal attacking behavior torwards nurse or caregiver.
True or False? Can you do this.
Arguing with a confused resident is recommended
Name two key differences between delirium and dementia.
Delirium = sudden / dementia = gradual
Delirium may be reversible / dementia is progressive
What is chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)?
This dementia is linked to repeated head trauma in athletes.
What are amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles?
The buildup of these abnormal protein plaques and tangles damages brain cells in this disease.
Name 3 triggers that can cause agitation in dementia.
Pain
Overstimulation
Fear
What is agitation or aggression?
Staying calm, using a soft voice, and allowing time to respond helps manage this.