DEMENTIA
المؤلف:
FRANK GARVEY AND JACKY VINCENT
المصدر:
Caring for People with Learning Disabilities
الجزء والصفحة:
P133-C8
2025-10-22
294
DEMENTIA
Dementia is a diagnostic term for a collection of illnesses characterized by a global impairment of cognition with normal levels of consciousness. Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia and is particularly common in adults with Down’s syndrome. Many adults with Down’s syndrome over the age of 35 years will display signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, such as personality changes, decline in daily living skills, cognitive decline, incontinence, deterioration in memory – initially short-term but, with disease progression, there is virtual total memory loss and the possible occurrence of seizure activity.
A seizure is an alteration in motor, sensory or psychological function attributed to a disordered electrical discharge in the brain. Epilepsy is diagnosed when there is a tendency for recurrent seizures and relies upon accurate and detailed descriptions from the adult with the symptoms and the carers. Most adults with epilepsy will have their symptoms controlled within a medication regime, which will include anticonvulsant therapy. Some lifestyle changes may be required, which will be informed through a comprehensive risk-assessment process balanced with the need to enjoy life to its fullest.
When other physical diagnoses have been ruled out and Alzheimer’s disease is suspected, a baseline dementia assessment such as the Dementia Questionnaire for Persons with Mental Retardation (DMR) can be completed. Diagnosis of dementia is based on a decline in functioning over time. Therefore, to ensure a reliable diagnosis, the DMR assessment needs periodic re-tests, to estimate the rate of cognitive decline and ensure that the treatment package is appropriately tailored to meet changing needs. Acetyl cholinesterase inhibiting drugs (such as Aricept) can be beneficial for some individuals (British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society 2005). The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended (in January 2001) the use of such drugs under various conditions, including the diagnosis being obtained at a specialist clinic and the patient’s being regularly assessed after the maintenance dose is established. The use of drugs can show some possible efficacy in the treatment; early detection can allow appropriate management strategies to be implemented and can also assist in proactively planning for future services to support such individuals. However, it is also important to investigate for treatable conditions which may mimic dementia, such as thyroid disorders, space-occupying lesions (such as brain tumors), neurological conditions and psychological or psychiatric conditions.
As the carer or student, you need to be aware of gradual changes that may show a decline in the memory of the service user whom you are supporting. Signs that need noting include:
• short-term memory loss
• confusion
• apathy
• decline in normal skills
• becoming withdrawn and exhibiting anti-social behavior
• development of, or increase in, epileptic seizures
• shortfall of road sense.
(Down’s Syndrome Association 2006)
الاكثر قراءة في Teaching Strategies
اخر الاخبار
اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة
