Dementia

Dementia is a term for a range of progressive conditions affecting the brain. The most common type is Alzheimer’s, then vascular dementia, Lewy-Body dementia, front-temporal dementia and mixed dementia.

Common symptoms include problems communicating (both with speech and understanding), memory loss, confusion/disorientation, and a reduced ability to carry out activities of daily living. Dementia is not a normal part of aging, and it can affect any age, but is more common in older people.

The stages of dementia

There are 3 stages of dementia – early, middle, and late stage. It is important to remember that not everyone who lives with dementia will experience the same symptoms, and at the same time/rate. That is why it is so important to look at the individual themselves.

Early stage symptoms may include problems with concentration, short-term memory loss, word-finding issues, problems keeping up with conversations, disorientation, mood changes and anxiety and depression.

Middle stage symptoms may become more obvious and can include behaviour changes, anxiety, insomnia, disorientation, restlessness, false beliefs/delusions, worsening memory loss.

Late stages result in a person unable to live independently and symptoms may include limited communication, disorientation of time, unable to recognise family or their home surroundings, falls, infections, low nutrition and hydration.

How to support someone with living with dementia

• Be person-centred, get to know the person and find out what matters to them.
• If appropriate, discuss advanced care planning with the person living with dementia.
• Ensure you know how the person communicates.
• Work in partnership with family and carers (confirm if a Lasting Power of Attorney is in place).
• Always orientate the person to where they are.
• Regularly assess pain using a dementia pain tool (eg, Bolton Pain Assessment/PAINAD).
• Support physical needs and encourage independence.
• Remember, most distressed behaviour is caused by unmet needs - look for the reason if a person is distressed.