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Essay Unit 17 - Caring for Individuals with Dementia
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criteria included - P1, P2, P3, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3. i have achieved all of the criteria stated.
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P1:Frontotemporal dementia is a type of dementia caused by the abnormal buildup of proteins behind an individual's
forehead. However, in much rarer cases frontotemporal dementia can occur as a result of HIV, alcohol abuse or head
injuries. The nerve cells in the brain eventually die therefore the pathways that connect the lobes change. Triggering an
inability to problem solve, control their emotions and find words. For example, people with frontotemporal dementia
may find it difficult to make sentences or communicate effectively.
An abnormal buildup of proteins occurs at the front of the brain when nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of
the brain die. The lobes eventually shrink resulting in changes to an individual's behaviour, personality and language. For
example, an individual with frontotemporal dementia may develop impulsive behaviour and therefore won’t consider
the consequences to their actions.
Several symptoms can be presented with frontotemporal dementia such as loss of inhibitions may result in individuals
being rude towards others. Some individuals may have trouble with language and trying to get their point across. The
inability to do so may cause the individual frustration and anger. As the nerve cells in the left temporal lobe die the
individual may struggle remembering the meaning of words and name of objects, as the cells in the right temporal lobe
die the individual may have trouble recognising faces and familiar objects.
Frontotemporal dementia can have an effect on an individual’s Physical and Mental health, for example a person with
frontotemporal dementia may experience issues such as sleeplessness and restlessness. Some individual’s may
experience ‘sundown syndrome’ this is where a person is awake during the night and asleep during the day. Individuals
who experience sundown syndrome may continuously move from room to room during the night, this could cause the
person frustration therefor having a negative effect on that persons mental health. To try and help that individual you
need to find out why the individual is restless and possibly do a medication review to see if there is extra help for that
individual. Such as prescribing a sedative at night to help the individual sleep. Frontotemporal dementia can also effect a
persons movement, some individuals may develop uncoordinated movements and may develop a tendency to trip or
fall. Not everyone with frontotemporal will be aware of the change in their movement this could then lead to an
individual becoming angry or frustrated. It could also have a negative impact on their physical health if they were to
seriously injure themselves while falling or tripping. In order to ensure the safety of the individual a risk assessment
must be carried out.
Frontotemporal dementia also effects on the quality of life and well-being of the individuals diagnosed such as loss of
privacy and dignity. This can be a result of an individual needing the help of a health care professional with daily
activities such as washing, dressing or going to the toilet. Getting the help they need to complete these daily activities
will help them go about there daily lives without struggling or overworking themselves. However they may feel
ashamed, embarrassed or frustrated. This could mean they express their discomfort through scratching or slapping you.
As a heath care professional it will be your responsibility to manage these challenging behaviours.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common and the best understood cause of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is caused by a
neurodegeneration of the brain. It can also occur when a buildup of proteins and plaque in the brain destroys nerve cells
and tissues and creates tangles. As Alzheimer's progresses there becomes a decrease in chemical messengers, so their
signals are worse. An individual with Alzheimer's tends to remember older memories longer than newer ones, therefore
individuals with Alzheimer's may believe they are younger than they are.
As Alzheimer's progresses so does the deterioration of the brain. Some individuals may eventually lose the ability to
control their emotions, this can result in individuals having emotional outbursts. Individuals may also struggle with their
,language as Alzheimer's progresses, this could mean individuals may not be able to make sentences or their speech may
be broken. Some may even experience difficulties thinking and problem solving.
There are several symptoms presented with Alzheimer's disease such as significant memory loss, this may be where
some individuals may not be able to recall certain events or people but may be able to recall an emotion tied to that
memory. They may be withdrawn from their usual interests and activities. Some individuals can experience mood swings
they may become fearful or frustrated. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease may even start to get lost in familiar places.
Alzheimer’s disease also has an effect on Physical and mental health for example a person with Alzheimer’s may develop
reasoning and communication issues. Some people may start to become irrational and therefore may change areas of
their life such as spending habits. This could lead to them spending more than they can account for and may become
vulnerable to exploitation. They may also develop problems with information processing. This means as Alzheimer’s
disease progresses the individual may not be able to process information given to them as well as they used to. They
may also experience changes in mental processes like forming sentences. In order to help the individual it is important
that you don’t finish their sentences for them, have patients and always reassure them if they begin to become
frustrated.
Alzheimer’s disease can also affect the ability to manage daily routines and personal care. The way a person look’s and
dresses is an expression of their identity, they are conscious decisions that people make. However individuals that have
Alzheimer’s disease struggle to make these decisions. Therefore a healthcare professional may have to assist when
individuals with Alzheimer’s make those decisions, such as choosing there clothes. This may help the individual express
themselves. Alternatively it may make the individual feel frustrated or angry that they are not able to complete these
daily tasks like they used to. Another way Alzheimer’s disease may effect an individual is exclusion or loss of status.
Some individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may fear a change in social status like losing a friend after diagnoses. It is
important to encourage to seek interaction or join a group. This will help them rebuild their self-esteem and help them
feel less alone and isolated. However some cultures or societies may not want to associate with an individual that has a
mental deterioration.
Vascular dementia is a type of dementia which is caused by atherosclerosis or even strokes where there is a reduced
blood supply to the brain. Small vessel disease or diseased blood cells can also contribute to an individual getting
vascular dementia. An individual's lifestyle factors can also contribute such as a poor diet, smoking, under excessive
amounts of stress, high blood pressure or if an individual is overweight.
An individual's brain who has vascular dementia has a reduced blood supply to the brain this could then possibly lead to
strokes. An individual can get vascular dementia also after a series of mini strokes and after each of these mini strokes a
patch of dead brain tissues are created. Therefore, if the hippocampus is affected an individual may have trouble
remembering past experiences such as a past event or person.
There are a number of symptoms presented with vascular dementia such as laughing or crying inappropriately. Tremors
can also be symptom of vascular dementia much like Parkinson's disease. General forgetfulness and irritability are also
symptoms. People with vascular dementia may also have difficulties with familiar tasks such as handling money.
Vascular dementia can have a negative effect on an individual’s Mental and Physical health. Communication can be
affected as vascular dementia progresses. For example, a person may lose thread of a sentence or have issues finding
words. Some individuals may start repeating themselves such as asking the same question several times despite you
already answering it this could lead to them feeling anxious or frustrated. In this situation you must be patient, avoid
being judgmental and answer questions calmly and respectfully. Anxiety, fear and depression can also occur as vascular
, dementia progresses as they may get less or no visits from friends or family leading to feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Anxiety could also result in the individuals having panic attacks, it is important to provide the correct care and support to
the individuals.
An individual with vascular dementia. May experience a loss of skills. However, in the early stages of vascular dementia
the individual may not be fully aware of their loss of skills, whether it is dexterity and movements or communication and
memory, this may make them feel confused or angry as they may not understand what happening to them.
Degeneration can be very stressful which may result in the individual becoming frustrated or anxious. An assessment of
needs by an occupational therapist would help the individual’s independence. Vascular can also cause an individual to
have a lack of social skills. Early stages of vascular dementia may make them feel distanced or isolated from people or
even confused at times. Some individuals may struggle to keep up with social interactions, people also may stop visiting.
It’s important that as a healthcare professional that you promote social interactions that could be by finding tasks that is
easy for the individual to manage and that they enjoy. You could also encourage the individual to join a group, both of
these will help improve the individual self-esteem and also help them feel less isolated.
Frontotemporal lobe dementia (m1)
Frontotemporal dementia may be identified by their symptoms because of the difference between other types of
dementia. For example, An individual with frontotemporal dementia may experience loss of inhibitions such as being
rude to others. This is caused because there is an abnormal build-up of protein in an individual's brain behind the
individuals forehead and ears. Therefore doctors or GP's may diagnose frontotemporal dementia from this symptom.
This is shown as a common symptom of symptom of dementia on NHS (nd). However mood swings is a common
symptom of Alzheimer's disease which can closely relate to loss of inhibitions. This may make it difficult for doctors to
diagnose frontotemporal dementia. This information is presented on NHS (nd). Unfortunately it is difficult to get a
confident diagnosis of which kind of dementia a person has. However MRI and CT scans of the individuals brain can be
done to try to figure out what type of dementia they may have.
NHS. (). frontotemporal dementia symptoms. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frontotemporal-
dementia/symptoms/. Last accessed 19th oct 2020
NHS. (). Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Available:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms/. Last accessed 19th oct 2020.
Frontotemporal dementia may also be identified by language difficulties such as difficulties forming sentences. This is
caused because the nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes die therefore the pathways that connect the lobes
change. Doctors may diagnose frontotemporal dementia if they recognise this symptom. This information is shown on
NHS (nd). However difficulties with language is also a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease. This can be difficulties
with forming sentences or remembering words. This is presented on Alzheimer's Society (nd). Therefore doctors may
confuse or misdiagnose the types of dementia. It also states that individuals may not know what type of dementia they
have until after death. However there are a few tests such MRI and CT scans that can be done while the individual is
alive to try and figure out what kind of dementia they may have.
NHS. (). frontotemporal dementia symptoms. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/frontotemporal-
dementia/symptoms/. Last accessed 19th oct 2020
Alzheimer's society. (). symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Available: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-
dementia/types-dementia/alzheimers-disease-symptoms#content-start. Last accessed 19th oct 2020.
Alzheimer's disease (m1)
Alzheimer's disease may be identified by their symptoms because of the difference from other kinds of dementia. For
example individuals with Alzheimer's disease may experience memory loss. This is due to significant amount of damage
due to the hippocampus, which is the part of your brain that controls your memories, therefore memory loss can be
identified as a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease. As doctors will identify this as Alzheimer's. This is also shown
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