Dementia awareness

Handout 3: Signs and symptoms of dementia

Learning outcome 1, 3 Assessment criteria 1.2, 1.3, 3.2

Links to assignment Task A

Key functions of the brain affected by dementia

Do you use a computer? Have you ever saved some work and then not been able to find where you saved it? Or maybe something went wrong when you saved it and you lost it all.

Think of your brain like a computer. In order to be able to remember, we need to be able to process the information we receive. That means we need to understand it, why and when we might need it, for example. That then allows us to store it – think of saving it on the computer. When the time comes and we need the information again, we have to be able to go straight to the part of the memory where it is stored and retrieve it. Damage to areas of the brain responsible for just one of these stages can disrupt the whole process.

Decline in memory

This is a common symptom, and has an effect on everything the person does. Different parts of the brain are affected in different ways and can sometimes vary from day to day.

Many people describe the memory like an onion with the most recent memories as the outer layers and early ones deep inside. It is the outer layers that deteriorate first, which explains people with dementia struggle with short-term memory.

Disorientation

Memory problems can make it difficult for individuals to recognise places, the people around them and to be able to find heir way about.

Loss of skills

People with dementia may find it difficult to concentrate and may struggle with sequencing a task – for example, the order in which things need to be done. They may not recognise what a familiar object is for, for example a hair brush.

Communication and language

People with dementia may struggle with understanding what you say to them as well as in expressing themselves.

Signs and symptoms that might be mistaken for dementia

Memory problems

Not all memory problems are a sign that someone has dementia. The memory becomes less reliable as a part of the ageing process, and people can experience forgetfulness. Other causes can include:

·  tiredness

·  stress

·  anxiety

·  depression

·  side effects of some medicines.

The way memory is affected in people with dementia is more specific as described above.

Confusion

There are many different reasons why people become confused apart from dementia. These include:

·  infection

·  side effects of medication

·  head injury

·  constipation

·  alcohol

·  dehydration

·  withdrawal of substances.

Depression

Depression can be mistaken for dementia as it also presents as deterioration in an individual’s wellbeing, but it is often the dementia that is the cause of the depression. Once the cause of depression is addressed, an improvement would be seen.