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DEMENTIA RESOURCE CENTRE
The word "Dementia" has its roots in Latin, from "de" (without) and "mens" (the root of "mens" - the mind) i.e. "without the mind".
Dementia is a syndrome characterized by a progressive deterioration of cognitive ability, in a previously unimpaired person, and which results in impairment of normal daily functioning. Cognitive function includes Memory, Intellect and Orientation, thus a person suffering from dementia would have impairment in these various aspects of "cognition". Dementia is chiefly a condition which affects the elderly, and with an increasing elderly population, the number of people suffering from dementia is expected to rise.
Signs & Symptoms of Dementia
Dementia, whilst most commonly associated with failing memory, also involves impairment of other aspects of cognition eg. reduced ability to learn and reason, loss of patterns of thoughts, feelings and activities. Symptoms often begin insidiously and progress over a number of years before becoming noticeable by family members. In the early stages, patients may just appear to be a little more forgetful, or may tend to repeat himself/herself during conversations. This usually is passed off as part of aging or being "naggy". Short term memory is usually affected first, so patients with dementia will usually have problems recalling what they had for lunch a few hours ago, but will have no problems recalling childhood events.
With the passage of time, the forgetfulness gets more severe. He/she may be confused about the time, day and date. The decline in intellect may interfere with speech and thinking, so he/she may have difficulty understanding speech. There may be personal neglect. Other problems may also set in, such as bowel and urinary incontinence, behaviour becoming odd, getting lost and not being able to find the way home etc.
Dementia is also frequently associated with other psychological problems. Depression affects as many as 20 - 30% and about 20% have anxiety. Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, may also affect sufferers of dementia.
In the very late stages of dementia, the patient loses the ability to recognize even family members, is unable to express himself, becomes incontinent, and requires maximal assistance with all aspects of daily living eg. feeding, bathing, changing and toileting.
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