Dementia - Impaired cognitive function- memory, language, problem solving and judgement - What are the risk fx, assessment, caregiver techniques, behavior and communication interventions Risk fx for dementia - Increasing age- single greatest risk fx - Genetics and fam fx - Ethnic minorities are 2x more likely to develop dementia - Lifestyle - Sedentary lifestyle - Physical inactivity - Social isolation - Med hx - Head trauma, DM, frailty, lifestyle - Environmental fx - Heavy metal exposure, slow acting virus Assessment for dementia - Do a hx and physical exam - Neuropsych test= mini cog used as screening - Definitive dx made with histopathological confirmational autopsy - Guidelines suggest: biomarker tests - PET imaging - Certain protein levels in CSF - Blood test for tau - Global deterioration scale/ functional assessment of AD Normal adult - No deficits Age related memory changes - Deficits in word finding - Forgets location of items Mild cognitive impairment - Some decline in performing complex tasks - Demanding settings like work - Decline in organization - Deficits noted by others Moderate dementia - Obvious cognitive deficits - Require supervision for complex daily tasks - Difficulty remembering names of familiar people Moderately severe dementia - Significant short term memory impairment - - Disorientation - Personality and emotional changes Loss of ability in following order - Difficulty dressing - Requires assistance with bathing - Requires assistance with toileting - Occasional incontinence (urine progress to fecal)
