It Is Important to Keep your CNA Informed About Dementia

The numbers are staggering . For every 15 Americans (age 71 and older), two of them have been diagnosed with dementia. And, around the globe , at least 35 million people live with dementia. The numbers are projected to increase to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050! With statistics like these, it is more important than ever for nursing assistants to be armed with information about dementia. Here are some of the basics that you can share with your CNAs :

What is Dementia ?

When you hear the word “dementia”, you probably think of Alzheimer’s disease. And, it’s true. Alzheimer’s disease is Edione of the forms of dementia. However, there are many other forms of dementia that you should be aware of.

What exactly is dementia? It is a slow, progressive loss of mental functions, including: memory, thinking, judgment and the ability to learn. Dementia is not a disease by itself. Rather, it is a syndrome-or group of symptoms- that can be caused by many different diseases. The symptoms of dementia are often severe enough to seriously undercut people’s ability to perform normal daily activities .

In the United States, an estimated 5 million people have dementia . Most people with dementia are over age 65 and the risk for dementia increases with age . Does it mean that everyone over the age of 65 will get it ? No way! An interesting fact: more that half of all people over age 100 do not have dementia.

It’s true that the brain changes with age . But these normal age-related changes, such as a decrease in both short-term memory and the ability to learn, do not affect a person’s ability to function. Dementia does.

What are the causes of Dementia ?

There are many different causes of dementia, including:

• Diseases that affect the nerve cells in the brain, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Pick’s disease.
• Vascular disorders such as a stroke.
• Toxic reactions from excessive alcohol or drug use.
• Brain tumors.
• Improper diet nd nutrition, such as lack of B12 and folate
• Infections that affect the brain and spinal cord.
• Head Injuris and Traumas .
• Radiation therapy to the head.
• Cardiac arrest.
• Chronic kidney deceases , liver or lungs.

For Your Clients with Dementia, Remember…

Focus on strengths! Most types of dementia cause an inevitable decline of a person’s memory, intellect and personality- which becomes evident in the middle to late stages of the disease. in the early stages of dementia, it is especially important to focus on the person’s remaining strengths…and not on what he or she is losing. For example, Mr Jones has trouble remembering what he hears, but does quite well with visual cues. So, his aide put simple written instructions and pictures on the walls of Mr. Smith’s living area.

Stimulate, don’t overwhelm. There is a fine line between providing stimulation to people with dementia and overwhelming them . Learn each clients limits and be mindful of them . For example, Mr. Green may become agitated by all the sights and sounds after a ten minute walk, but Mrs Smith is content to sit and watch her neighbors for over an hour.

Last in, first out! Most people with dementia have the biggest problem with short term memory and forget the recently learned things more easily. . Allow your clients to focus on what they do remember.

Childlike, not childish. Clients with moderate to severe dementia tend to lose the ability to care for themselves. Like little children , they need help with eating, dressing, walking and going to the bathroom . But, keep in mind , just because some of their needs and behaviors may be childlike, they are not children. Be sure to treat them as adults; don’t patronize or “talk down” to them.

Personality Plus! Typically, dementia tends to exaggerate personality traits that already existed In some cases dementia exhagerates personality traits  that are already present. For example, someone who was bossy in his younger years may be completely domineering due to dementia. Or, dementia may make a person who was always tidy become obsessed with neatness.

Ten Warning Signs of Dementia

Keep these ten warning signs in mind as you go through your work day-especially if you care for a number of elderly clients . If you notice these signs developing in any of your clients, report the situation to your supervisor . Your observations may help them receive an early diagnosis-and treatment- for dementia.

• Memory loss
• Problems performing everyday jobs
• Problems with language
• Confusion about time and place
• Poor or impaired judgment
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Misplacing items
• Noticable changes in behaviour or mood
• Changes in personality
• A loss of initiative

Keep in mind, however, that sometimes side effects of medications or alcohol may mimic the dimentia .