Dementia Care Final – Medical Speech Pathology – Cognitive Communication and Clinical Care
Review Material
Dementia is a symptom of and illness and it is NOT - ✔✔A normal part of aging
Symptoms of dementia include - ✔✔Loss of mental faculties: memory, personality, and
Behavior
Dementia usually occurs - ✔✔In the second half of life primarily over the age of 65.
Diagnostically, anyone with memory impairment may be due to - ✔✔Dementia (any type
especially AD), Normal aging, Injury, Illness, & Sleep Deprivation.
Components of a diagnostic evaluation include - ✔✔Informal interview, detailed history,
complete physical exam, neuro imaging, psych eval, & psychometric testing
The informal interview includes - ✔✔A person present that is a reliable informant, impaired
memory with simple questions, unable to recall events, the persons reaction when asked
questions (uncomfortable, irritable, look to a family member to answer for them)
Possible physical conditions that contribute to dementia are - ✔✔Thyroid electrolyte
imbalance, hypertension, heart arrhythmia, tumors, Vite B-12 deficiency, or head injuries. The
use of MRI or CT can rule out stroke, brain tumors, or hydrocephalus.
The diagnostic Psychiatric Evaluation includes - ✔✔Assessment of cognitive ability: evals
memory concentration and orientation, examines how patient functions, and looks at behavior
and mood in everyday situations.
Psychometric testing includes - ✔✔Proper brain function in accuracy speed and thought
process. Personality and Interest tests and MMSE (Mini-mental state exam)
,MMSE Mini-Mental State Examination - ✔✔Most common test used to establish the presence
of dementia
When diagnosing AD there is - ✔✔No definitive test. Diagnosis is made by ruling out other
disorders and illnesses.
IN 1984, the criteria for diagnosing (diagnostic certainty) Alzheimers developed by the
Alzheimer's Association was - ✔✔Possible, Probable, & Definitive
Possible: Not typical symptoms, but other illnesses are ruled out
Probable: Exclude other causes of cognitive decline & historical patterns. 85-95% Accuracy
Definitive:Autopsy only reveals this.
Can diagnose Alzheimer's Disease (AD) with 85%-95% accuracy. - ✔✔Specialized Doctors
Things to consider in terms of disclosing the diagnosis. - ✔✔The person often wants to shield
loved ones from it so they don't tell. Early diagnosis allows patient to participate in health care
decisions and receive early treatment which delays onset.
Every human being has the capacity for - ✔✔Growth
The goal of our text is - ✔✔Caring for people with dementia is a work of art. Shift focus from a
medical model of care to a relationship model of care. To honor and empower the dementia
patient and the artist of care.
Dementia is not a _____ problem it is a ______ & ______ challenge for those experiencing it. -
✔✔Medical,social, psychological
, As an artist of dementia care it is important to - ✔✔Focus on building their strengths and
resources rather than what is wrong. Focus on unmet needs rather than difficult behavior.
Holistic care means - ✔✔Focusing on physical,social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual
needs.
Families should be viewed as - ✔✔People who need healing and care. They often feel guilt,
fear, and anger.
The four stages of dementia are - ✔✔Early, Middle, Late, & Exit life stage
The Early Stage of dementia - ✔✔Communicates clearly, but more forgetful than usual,
difficulty solving problems, avoid social activities.
Aricept, Razadyne, & Exelon are classified as - ✔✔Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Cholinesterase Inhibitors do what? - ✔✔Originally used for AD.
Delay the breakdown of Acetylcholine.
May help with hallucinations.
Used in treatment of Lewy Body Dementia.
Middle Stage dementia - ✔✔More forgetful about recent events, easily confused, difficulty
finding and using right words, increasingly need help.
Late Stage dementia - ✔✔Symptoms are pronounced & need help for basic functions. ( eat
drink bath get dressed)
End of Life Stage - ✔✔Bedridden, unable to respond to environment
Review Material
Dementia is a symptom of and illness and it is NOT - ✔✔A normal part of aging
Symptoms of dementia include - ✔✔Loss of mental faculties: memory, personality, and
Behavior
Dementia usually occurs - ✔✔In the second half of life primarily over the age of 65.
Diagnostically, anyone with memory impairment may be due to - ✔✔Dementia (any type
especially AD), Normal aging, Injury, Illness, & Sleep Deprivation.
Components of a diagnostic evaluation include - ✔✔Informal interview, detailed history,
complete physical exam, neuro imaging, psych eval, & psychometric testing
The informal interview includes - ✔✔A person present that is a reliable informant, impaired
memory with simple questions, unable to recall events, the persons reaction when asked
questions (uncomfortable, irritable, look to a family member to answer for them)
Possible physical conditions that contribute to dementia are - ✔✔Thyroid electrolyte
imbalance, hypertension, heart arrhythmia, tumors, Vite B-12 deficiency, or head injuries. The
use of MRI or CT can rule out stroke, brain tumors, or hydrocephalus.
The diagnostic Psychiatric Evaluation includes - ✔✔Assessment of cognitive ability: evals
memory concentration and orientation, examines how patient functions, and looks at behavior
and mood in everyday situations.
Psychometric testing includes - ✔✔Proper brain function in accuracy speed and thought
process. Personality and Interest tests and MMSE (Mini-mental state exam)
,MMSE Mini-Mental State Examination - ✔✔Most common test used to establish the presence
of dementia
When diagnosing AD there is - ✔✔No definitive test. Diagnosis is made by ruling out other
disorders and illnesses.
IN 1984, the criteria for diagnosing (diagnostic certainty) Alzheimers developed by the
Alzheimer's Association was - ✔✔Possible, Probable, & Definitive
Possible: Not typical symptoms, but other illnesses are ruled out
Probable: Exclude other causes of cognitive decline & historical patterns. 85-95% Accuracy
Definitive:Autopsy only reveals this.
Can diagnose Alzheimer's Disease (AD) with 85%-95% accuracy. - ✔✔Specialized Doctors
Things to consider in terms of disclosing the diagnosis. - ✔✔The person often wants to shield
loved ones from it so they don't tell. Early diagnosis allows patient to participate in health care
decisions and receive early treatment which delays onset.
Every human being has the capacity for - ✔✔Growth
The goal of our text is - ✔✔Caring for people with dementia is a work of art. Shift focus from a
medical model of care to a relationship model of care. To honor and empower the dementia
patient and the artist of care.
Dementia is not a _____ problem it is a ______ & ______ challenge for those experiencing it. -
✔✔Medical,social, psychological
, As an artist of dementia care it is important to - ✔✔Focus on building their strengths and
resources rather than what is wrong. Focus on unmet needs rather than difficult behavior.
Holistic care means - ✔✔Focusing on physical,social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual
needs.
Families should be viewed as - ✔✔People who need healing and care. They often feel guilt,
fear, and anger.
The four stages of dementia are - ✔✔Early, Middle, Late, & Exit life stage
The Early Stage of dementia - ✔✔Communicates clearly, but more forgetful than usual,
difficulty solving problems, avoid social activities.
Aricept, Razadyne, & Exelon are classified as - ✔✔Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Cholinesterase Inhibitors do what? - ✔✔Originally used for AD.
Delay the breakdown of Acetylcholine.
May help with hallucinations.
Used in treatment of Lewy Body Dementia.
Middle Stage dementia - ✔✔More forgetful about recent events, easily confused, difficulty
finding and using right words, increasingly need help.
Late Stage dementia - ✔✔Symptoms are pronounced & need help for basic functions. ( eat
drink bath get dressed)
End of Life Stage - ✔✔Bedridden, unable to respond to environment
