signs of dementia what everyone needs to know · 5 million in the united states. 6th leading cause...
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Signs of DementiaWhat Everyone Needs to Know
Presented by:Gayleen Bradley
Certified Dementia Specialist
Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementia Types
Recognize the Symptoms
Understand Behaviors Caused by Dementia
Techniques to deal with behaviors
Learning Objectives
A decline in cognitive function or mental ability• Visual Perception• Reasoning & Judgment• Memory• Communication & Language• Ability to focus & pay attention• Difficult time carrying out daily tasks they had
performed routinely throughout their lives
What is Dementia?
36.5 Million Worldwide
5 Million in the United States
6th Leading Cause of Death
1 in 3 Seniors Die with Dementia
250,000 with Younger Onset
Fact about Dementia
Dementia Clock TestDementia Clock Test
Clocks - Dementia Perception
Causes of Dementia
A decline in cognitive function or mental ability• Visual Perception• Reasoning & Judgment• Memory• Communication & Language• Ability to focus & pay attention• Difficult time carrying out daily tasks they had
performed routinely throughout their lives
Regular Exercise
Six Steps for a Healthy Brain
Healthy Diet
Mental Stimulation
Quality Sleep
Stress Management
Active Social Life
Types of Dementia
• 60 to 80 percent of people have Alzheimer’s who have dementia
• Symptoms are mild at first and get worse over the years
• Short term memory is usually affected first
Alzheimer’s
Types of Dementia
Other symptoms may include
Types of Dementia
Vascular• Caused by strokes• Symptoms can begin with poor judgment or trouble
planning, organizing and making decisions
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech• Problems recognizing sight and sounds that use to
be familiar• Changes in personality and mood• Problems walking and having
frequent falls
Types of Dementia - Irreversible
Dementia with Lewy BodiesLewy Bodies are microscopic deposits of a protein that forms in the brain
Symptoms Include:• Problems thinking clearly, making decisions, or
paying attention• Memory problems• Seeing things that are not there• Unusual sleeping during the day• Periods of blanking out or staring• Problems with movement• Dreams that you act out physically
Types of Dementia
Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
• People with Parkinson’s get this type of Dementia about 50 to 80 percent of the time
• On average, the symptoms of dementia develop about 10 years after Parkinson’s
• This type is very similar to Lew Body and experience the same symptoms
Types of Dementia
Frontemporal DementiaSymptoms of FTD:
• Personality and behavioral changes• Sudden lack of inhibitions in personal and social
situations• Problems coming up with the right words when
speaking• Movement and balance problems
Types of Dementia
Mixed Dementia• This is a combination of two types of
dementia• The most common combination is:
Alzheimer’s and Vascular
Reversible types of DementiaReversible
Medications Infections Alcohol Induced
Toxic & Metabolic Disorders
Head Injury Depression
Brand Approved ForAricept All StagesRazadyne Mild to ModerateNamenda Moderate to SevereExelon Mild to ModerateNamzaric Moderate to Severe
Types of Medications
Alzheimer’s 10 Warning Signs
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or at leisure
Know the 10 Signs
Confusion with time or place
Troubles understanding visual images and spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Know the 10 Signs
Changes in mood & personality
Know the 10 SignsMisplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgement
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Anatomy of the Brain
Health Concerns that can Cause Behaviors
• Dehydration• Malnourishment• Depression• Infections - UTI• Pain• Sight and Hearing Problems
Lose ability to navigate their world.
Too much stimuli is
confusing and overwhelming.
Inability to understand
what is being
communicatedto them.
Lose ability to express their needs
As Dementia Advances…
Early Stage• Feel they are having memory
lapses• Forget familiar words or location
of objects• Hard time with math & paying bills• Do not require any care at this point• Become moody or withdrawn
Stages of Dementia
Stages of DementiaMid Stage• Losing objects• Becoming dangerous to leave
alone• Forget where familiar stores are• Leave items cooking on the stove
Moderate• Can become suspicious• Losing track of time & day• Lose ability to initiate tasks like
showing, changing clothes, remembering to eat
End Stage
Help with most or all ADLS
Difficulty carrying on conversations
Lose ability to walk without assistance
Trouble remembering to
swallow
Stages of Dementia
Anxious –Worried &
Uneasy
Agitated –Upset &
Distressed
Aggressive –Hostile &
Belligerent
Abusive –Physically &
Verbally
Wandering -Walking aimlessly
All Behavior Has Meaning
Does the behavior put the client at risk?
Does the behavior put you at risk?
Does the behavior put some else at risk?
If the behavior is just annoying to you, it doesn’t merit you intervening.
Does the Behavior Need to Stopped?
Be a Detective• Last time they ate or drank?
• Last time they went to the bathroom?• Do they wear glasses or hearing aides?
• Is there too much noise around?• Are they tired?
• Did they sleep well night before?• Are they comfortable?
• Could they be in pain?• Is it time for medications?
• Too cold or hot?• Need to be moved?
• Are they out of their routine?• Are you new?
• Are they bored?• Do an activity!
The caregiver needs to find out what unmet needs are by being a good detective
Empathy – validate their feelings & read their body language
Power of Touch
Do not confront
Don’t tell them NO!
Don’t ever argue
Make direct eye contact.
Step into Their World
Life Story• What did they do for a living?• Where did they grow up?• Discuss family members
Redirect• Quickly change the subject• Change walking direction
Triggers• Know their triggers & what soothes them• Favorite food or drink?• Pet Peeves
Simple ChoicesPick between two items
Techniques to Use
Physically Remove• Remove them from environment if necessary
Change Environment• Turn TV Off• Go for a walk• Go to different room
Intervene• Within 30 seconds
Calm• Stay calm• Don’t lose your patience
Techniques to Use
Apologize• Take the blame• Help diffuse the situation.
Relationship First• Relationship before task
Simple Questions• Ask simple open ended questions you know they can answer.
Clues• Give visual or verbal clues related to your requests.
Techniques to Use
TONE OF VOICE• Friendly• Not bossy
PITCH• Deeper is better
SPEED• Slow• Not pressured
Communication Techniques
Short Message• Give a
short message about what’s happening
Simple Choices• About
what the person can do
Ask them to help• Ask them
to help you do something
Will they try?• Ask if they
will give it a try
Task Breakdown• Give it
one step at a time
• ONLY ASK: “Are you ready to…” if you’re willing to come back later.
Communication Techniques
Friendly Interactions• Take it Slow• Talk to the person
Know Who the Person Was• Values• Who is Important to
Them
Use Familiar Objects• Photo Albums• You will have same
conversations again• Act interested and
be friendly.
Acknowledge their Emotions• “I can see this
makes you happy, sad, etc.”
Don’t Correct their Stories• It’s their reality• They can’t come to
yours
They are doing the best they can!• Their tools are
limited.
Communication Techniques
Be a detective
and determine
unmet needs.
If what you’re
doing is NOT
working –STOP!
Back off and give
them space &
time.
Decide what to do differently
15 minutes
later.
Communication Techniques
When is a bad time to ask?• Know when to ask if they want to do an activity.
Variety of Activities• Know the types they like and have them available.
Start the Activity• You start and they will join in.
Ask for their help• Include them with your activities
Don’t ask, just do.• Begin the activity and bring them along.
Techniques on Getting them to do an Activity
All Tasks are Activities• Remember, any task you do with your client is an activity.
Keep it Simple• Activities with just 1-2 steps
Mistakes Happen• Stay calm• Ignore them
Trial and Error• Try, try again.• Learn from your mistakes
Each client is different• Individualize your approach & activities
Evaluate, Learn & Revise• Look back on each interaction• Revise your approach.
Techniques on Getting them to do an Activity
Photo Albums
Newspapers & Magazines Puzzles Enjoy the
OutdoorsGo for a Walk
Make Cookies
Feed & Watch
the Birds
Listen to Music
Fold Towels
Hold a Baby Doll
Set the Dinner Table
Cut out Coupons Games
Types of Activities: