ASchulz_Dementia Outline

NUR 2214

ASchulz_Dementia Outline Latest 2023 /2024

Dementia Outline

Introduction:

Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, with nearly 60% living in low- and middle- income countries. Every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases. Dementia can have a great impact on the people diagnosed with dementia, and their families involved. Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.

Thesis:

Understanding the way that dementia affects a person and how dementia changes a person can help everyone involved with the disease.

• What is Dementia? (Mayo Clinic, 2019)

• Symptoms

• Cognitive changes include memory loss, difficulty or finding words,

difficulty with visual and spatial abilities, difficulty reasoning or problem solving, difficulty handling complex tasks, difficulty with planning and organizing, difficulty with coordination and motor functions, confusion and disorientation.

ii. Behavioral: personality changes, and inappropriate behavior.

iii. Psychological changes include depression, anxiety, paranoia, agitation, and hallucinations

2. Risk factors for dementia: (Mayo Clinic, 2019)

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• Risk factors you cannot control;

i. Age: The risk for dementia rises as you age. The risk especially raises

after the age of 65. However, dementia is not a normal part of the aging process.

ii. Down syndrome: By middle age, many people with down syndrome

develop early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

iii. Family History: Having a family history of dementia puts you at a greater

risk of developing the condition. However, there are tests to determine whether or not you have certain genetic mutations.

3. Risk factors you can change: (Mayo Clinic, 2019)

a. Diet and exercise:

• Research have shown that the lack of exercise increases a person’s risk of

dementia. Research indicates that people with poor, unhealthy diets have a higher risk of getting dementia.

b. Cardiovascular risk factors:

• these include high blood pressure, high cholesterol,

atherosclerosis, and obesity, all increase someone’s risk of dementia.

• How is dementia diagnosed? (Mayo Clinic, 2019)

• “To diagnose the cause of the dementia, the doctor must recognize the pattern of

the loss of skills and function and determine what a person is still able to do. Your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms and conduct a physical examination.

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