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Unit 17 Task 1: Caring for individuals with dementia - Distinction.
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Unit 17- Caring for individuals with dementiaTask 1
P1: Explain the causes of three different types of dementia.
Dementia is a condition that affects cognitive abilities, memory, and behaviour. There are many
different types of dementia, each with their own causes. Three examples are:
Alzheimer's disease:
The cause of Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood, but it is thought to be caused by a pattern
of pathological changes in the brain that result in neurodegeneration. As well as a combination of
genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Another cause of this dementia may be the
accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques which form outside of the brain cells. These plaque can cause
an interference with the communication between brain cells and can also cause inflammation of cell
death. Some of the risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease include getting older, having a
family history of the condition, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and head injuries. In
Alzheimer's disease, abnormal structures called amyloid plaques and tau tangles develop in the
brain, disrupting communication between brain cells and leading to cognitive decline. (Alzheimer's
Association, 2021).
Vascular dementia:
Vascular dementia is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the brain, which can be due to stroke,
high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular conditions. A less common cause of vascular dementia is
one large stroke or condition called cerebral amyloid angiopathy, which involves a build-up of
proteins in the blood vessels of the brain, damaging blood vessels and restricting blood flow. When
blood flow to the brain is restricted or blocked, brain cells can die, leading to cognitive impairment.
The symptoms of vascular dementia depend on the location and severity of the damage but can
include memory loss, difficulty with language and communication, and impaired judgment.
(Alzheimer's Association, 2021).
Lewy body dementia:
Lewy body dementia is caused by the build-up of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies also
known as alpha-synuclein. These proteins cause damage to the brain cells and interfere with normal
brain function. These deposits can lead to cognitive and behavioural changes, including
hallucinations, tremors, and stiffness. The exact cause of Lewy body dementia is not known, but it
may be related to genetics or environmental factors. For example, being exposed to toxins or head
injuries. (Alzheimer's Association, 2021).
P2: Explain the symptoms of three different types of dementia.
All dementias each have their own set of symptoms. Three dementias and their symptoms are:
Alzheimer’s:
The most prevalent type of dementia is Alzheimer's, and its signs typically appear gradually over
time. Early indications of Alzheimer's disease can include language difficulties, disorientation, and
trouble recalling previous conversations or occurrences. Other signs of the disease may include
mood fluctuations, withdrawal from social interactions, and trouble performing everyday tasks like
, getting dressed or taking a shower. Those with advanced Alzheimer's disease may have trouble
swallowing, lose their ability to speak, and require assistance with all activities of daily living.
(Alzheimer's Association, 2021).
Frontotemporal:
The symptoms of frontotemporal dementia, which affects both the front and side parts of the brain,
typically occur in adults between the ages of 40 and 65. Changes in personality, emotional blunting,
and inappropriate social behaviour may be the first signs of frontotemporal dementia. People may
experience language difficulties, difficulty performing everyday tasks, or movement abnormalities
including tremors or stiffness as the illness worsens. (Alzheimer's Association, 2021).
Lewy body:
The symptoms of Lewy body dementia, a form of dementia brought on by the accumulation of
aberrant protein deposits in the brain, can differ from person to person. Early signs of Lewy body
dementia may include erratic attention and attentiveness as well as trouble with visual-spatial tasks
like reading or judging distances. When the illness worsens, sufferers may experience hallucinations,
mobility issues, memory loss, and difficulties reasoning. In addition to disrupting sleep, Lewy body
dementia can result in mood problems including depression or anxiety. (Alzheimer's Association,
2021).
P3: Explain the effects of three different types of dementia on the mental and physical health of
individuals who have the condition.
Dementia can have a major impact on an individual’s cognitive function, including memory loss,
thinking skills, and the ability to perform daily activities. There are lots of different types of dementia,
each with its unique set of symptoms and effects on mental and physical health. Three types of
dementia and their effects are,
Alzheimer's disease:
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for about 60-80% of all cases.
This type of dementia affects the brain's ability to process and store memories, which can lead to
severe memory loss. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease may also experience difficulty with
language, problem-solving, and performing routine tasks. As the disease progresses, it can also
impact a person's physical health, causing muscle weakness, balance problems, and difficulty
walking.
Physical effects:
Alzheimer’s can cause a person’s cognitive function to decline which means they will have a
problems, like not being able to recall memories or events. Cognitive function slowing down also has
an effect on physical health causing mobility issues. Alzheimer’s can affect an individual’s mobility in
a number of ways, some of them may be that a person will not have the ability to walk normally,
which is also known as gait disturbances. Individuals may have slower movements which means they
will take longer than others to complete tasks that involve physical coordination. Another effect on
mobility is that people are more likely to have more falls due to them finding it hard to go through
barriers as well as having trouble identifying hazards in their surroundings. The more falls someone
has, the more harm they are going to cause for themselves. Their mobility can also become worse
every time they have a fall. As individuals with this disease are not capable of walking a lot or doing
jobs that require physical coordination, they might sit down for quite a lot of the day. Sitting down for
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