2. What is Dementia?
A term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills. Dementia may be severe enough to reduce a persons ability to perform everyday activity.

3. Causes
The leading is cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s. A person with Alzheimer’s has a change in the chemistry and structure of the brain causing cells to die prematurely.
Vascular dementia caused by a stroke is the second most common reason.
Other medical conditions

4. Symptoms 1st sign is usually ---- FORGETFULNESS
Difficulty with mental function
Language
Memory
Perception
Emotional behavior or personality
Cognitive skills (calculations, abstract thinking, or judgment)

5. Early Symptoms
Difficulty performing tasks that take some thought, but that used to come easily, such as balancing a checkbook, playing games and learning new info.
Getting lost on familiar routes.
Language problems, such as trouble finding the name of familiar objects.
Losing interest in things you previously enjoyed, flat mood.
Misplacing items.
Personality changes and loss of social skills, which can lead to inappropriate behaviors.

6. Severe Dementia
Unable to perform activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and bathing
Unable to recognize family members
Unable to understand language

7. Diagnosis: Exams and Test
Often a skilled health care provider can diagnose by performing a physical exam and review the patients history.
Neurological exam will include physical exam
Mental status examination
Labs, EEG, CT and MRI

8. Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the condition that may be causing the dementia.
Hospitalization
Stopping or changing meds
Mental exercises
Treating other diagnosed illnesses
Give medications as prescribed

9. Other treatments
People with dementia should have check-ups regularly, including eyes and ears.

10. Prognosis and Complications
Individuals suffering from cognitive impairment may not develop dementia
Once dementia occurs it usually progresses and becomes worse decreasing lifespan.
Complications:
Abuse by an overstressed caregiver
Increased infections anywhere in the body
Loss of ability to interact
Reduced lifespan
Side effects of medications used to treat the disorders

12. What is Delirium ?
Delirium is an acutely disturbed state of mind that occurs in fever, intoxication and other disorders and is characterized by restlessness, illusions and incoherence of thought and speech. Delirium comes on suddenly. (Dictionary.com)

13. Types & Symptoms Hypoactive Hyperactive Delirium Mixed
Sluggish and drowsy
Less reactive
Withdrawn
Hyperactive Delirium
Agitated or aggressive behavior
Incoherent speech
Disorganized thoughts
Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorientation
Mixed
Signs and symptoms of both

14. Causes Resent surgery Medications Underlying diseases Hospitalization
Loss of sleep (fatigue)
Pain

15. Caring for the Delirium Patient
Anticipate patient needs by:
Reviewing prescribed medications or adverse events
Assessing for pain and medications as needed
Monitoring vitals
Prompting hydration
Proving orientation
Encouraging mobility
Providing sensory aids as appropriate

16. Caring for the Delirium Patient
Provide a calming environment:
Reduce noise
Provide adequate light
Avoid patient relocation / transfer
Orient patient to time, place and self
Promote sleep
Educate family about delirium:
Educate about signs and symptoms
Sharing ways to reduce symptoms
Encourage family visits

17. Difference in Dementia vs Delirium??
Slow onset – months / years
Sudden onset
Last for months to years
Lasts for hours / weeks
Progressive
Fluctuating
Cause: neurologic / cardiovascular
Cause: illness / medications / withdrawal
Memory: Varied
Memory: loss of memory
Take note to make a diagnosis of dementia, delirium must be ruled out. Patient with dementia may be at risk for having delirium and may have both.