Signs of DementiaWhat Everyone Needs to Know

Presented by:Gayleen Bradley

Certified Dementia Specialist

Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementia Types

Recognize the Symptoms

Understand Behaviors Caused by Dementia

Techniques to deal with behaviors

Learning Objectives

A decline in cognitive function or mental ability• Visual Perception• Reasoning & Judgment• Memory• Communication & Language• Ability to focus & pay attention• Difficult time carrying out daily tasks they had

performed routinely throughout their lives

What is Dementia?

36.5 Million Worldwide

5 Million in the United States

6th Leading Cause of Death

1 in 3 Seniors Die with Dementia

250,000 with Younger Onset

Fact about Dementia

Dementia Clock TestDementia Clock Test

Clocks - Dementia Perception

Causes of Dementia

A decline in cognitive function or mental ability• Visual Perception• Reasoning & Judgment• Memory• Communication & Language• Ability to focus & pay attention• Difficult time carrying out daily tasks they had

performed routinely throughout their lives

Regular Exercise

Six Steps for a Healthy Brain

Healthy Diet

Mental Stimulation

Quality Sleep

Stress Management

Active Social Life

Types of Dementia

• 60 to 80 percent of people have Alzheimer’s who have dementia

• Symptoms are mild at first and get worse over the years

• Short term memory is usually affected first

Alzheimer’s

Types of Dementia

Other symptoms may include

Types of Dementia

Vascular• Caused by strokes• Symptoms can begin with poor judgment or trouble

planning, organizing and making decisions

• Trouble speaking or understanding speech• Problems recognizing sight and sounds that use to

be familiar• Changes in personality and mood• Problems walking and having

frequent falls

Types of Dementia - Irreversible

Dementia with Lewy BodiesLewy Bodies are microscopic deposits of a protein that forms in the brain

Symptoms Include:• Problems thinking clearly, making decisions, or

paying attention• Memory problems• Seeing things that are not there• Unusual sleeping during the day• Periods of blanking out or staring• Problems with movement• Dreams that you act out physically

Types of Dementia

Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

• People with Parkinson’s get this type of Dementia about 50 to 80 percent of the time

• On average, the symptoms of dementia develop about 10 years after Parkinson’s

• This type is very similar to Lew Body and experience the same symptoms

Types of Dementia

Frontemporal DementiaSymptoms of FTD:

• Personality and behavioral changes• Sudden lack of inhibitions in personal and social

situations• Problems coming up with the right words when

speaking• Movement and balance problems

Types of Dementia

Mixed Dementia• This is a combination of two types of

dementia• The most common combination is:

Alzheimer’s and Vascular

Reversible types of DementiaReversible

Medications Infections Alcohol Induced

Toxic & Metabolic Disorders

Head Injury Depression

Brand Approved ForAricept All StagesRazadyne Mild to ModerateNamenda Moderate to SevereExelon Mild to ModerateNamzaric Moderate to Severe

Types of Medications

Alzheimer’s 10 Warning Signs

Memory loss that disrupts daily life

Challenges in planning or solving problems

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or at leisure

Know the 10 Signs

Confusion with time or place

Troubles understanding visual images and spatial relationships

New problems with words in speaking or writing

Know the 10 Signs

Changes in mood & personality

Know the 10 SignsMisplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

Decreased or poor judgement

Withdrawal from work or social activities

Anatomy of the Brain

Health Concerns that can Cause Behaviors

• Dehydration• Malnourishment• Depression• Infections - UTI• Pain• Sight and Hearing Problems

Lose ability to navigate their world.

Too much stimuli is

confusing and overwhelming.

Inability to understand

what is being

communicatedto them.

Lose ability to express their needs

As Dementia Advances…

Early Stage• Feel they are having memory

lapses• Forget familiar words or location

of objects• Hard time with math & paying bills• Do not require any care at this point• Become moody or withdrawn

Stages of Dementia

Stages of DementiaMid Stage• Losing objects• Becoming dangerous to leave

alone• Forget where familiar stores are• Leave items cooking on the stove

Moderate• Can become suspicious• Losing track of time & day• Lose ability to initiate tasks like

showing, changing clothes, remembering to eat

End Stage

Help with most or all ADLS

Difficulty carrying on conversations

Lose ability to walk without assistance

Trouble remembering to

swallow

Stages of Dementia

Anxious –Worried &

Uneasy

Agitated –Upset &

Distressed

Aggressive –Hostile &

Belligerent

Abusive –Physically &

Verbally

Wandering -Walking aimlessly

All Behavior Has Meaning

Does the behavior put the client at risk?

Does the behavior put you at risk?

Does the behavior put some else at risk?

If the behavior is just annoying to you, it doesn’t merit you intervening.

Does the Behavior Need to Stopped?

Be a Detective• Last time they ate or drank?

• Last time they went to the bathroom?• Do they wear glasses or hearing aides?

• Is there too much noise around?• Are they tired?

• Did they sleep well night before?• Are they comfortable?

• Could they be in pain?• Is it time for medications?

• Too cold or hot?• Need to be moved?

• Are they out of their routine?• Are you new?

• Are they bored?• Do an activity!

The caregiver needs to find out what unmet needs are by being a good detective

Empathy – validate their feelings & read their body language

Power of Touch

Do not confront

Don’t tell them NO!

Don’t ever argue

Make direct eye contact.

Step into Their World

Life Story• What did they do for a living?• Where did they grow up?• Discuss family members

Redirect• Quickly change the subject• Change walking direction

Triggers• Know their triggers & what soothes them• Favorite food or drink?• Pet Peeves

Simple ChoicesPick between two items

Techniques to Use

Physically Remove• Remove them from environment if necessary

Change Environment• Turn TV Off• Go for a walk• Go to different room

Intervene• Within 30 seconds

Calm• Stay calm• Don’t lose your patience

Techniques to Use

Apologize• Take the blame• Help diffuse the situation.

Relationship First• Relationship before task

Simple Questions• Ask simple open ended questions you know they can answer.

Clues• Give visual or verbal clues related to your requests.

Techniques to Use

TONE OF VOICE• Friendly• Not bossy

PITCH• Deeper is better

SPEED• Slow• Not pressured

Communication Techniques

Short Message• Give a

short message about what’s happening

Simple Choices• About

what the person can do

Ask them to help• Ask them

to help you do something

Will they try?• Ask if they

will give it a try

Task Breakdown• Give it

one step at a time

• ONLY ASK: “Are you ready to…” if you’re willing to come back later.

Communication Techniques

Friendly Interactions• Take it Slow• Talk to the person

Know Who the Person Was• Values• Who is Important to

Them

Use Familiar Objects• Photo Albums• You will have same

conversations again• Act interested and

be friendly.

Acknowledge their Emotions• “I can see this

makes you happy, sad, etc.”

Don’t Correct their Stories• It’s their reality• They can’t come to

yours

They are doing the best they can!• Their tools are

limited.

Communication Techniques

Be a detective

and determine

unmet needs.

If what you’re

doing is NOT

working –STOP!

Back off and give

them space &

time.

Decide what to do differently

15 minutes

later.

Communication Techniques

When is a bad time to ask?• Know when to ask if they want to do an activity.

Variety of Activities• Know the types they like and have them available.

Start the Activity• You start and they will join in.

Ask for their help• Include them with your activities

Don’t ask, just do.• Begin the activity and bring them along.

Techniques on Getting them to do an Activity

All Tasks are Activities• Remember, any task you do with your client is an activity.

Keep it Simple• Activities with just 1-2 steps

Mistakes Happen• Stay calm• Ignore them

Trial and Error• Try, try again.• Learn from your mistakes

Each client is different• Individualize your approach & activities

Evaluate, Learn & Revise• Look back on each interaction• Revise your approach.

Techniques on Getting them to do an Activity

Photo Albums

Newspapers & Magazines Puzzles Enjoy the

OutdoorsGo for a Walk

Make Cookies

Feed & Watch

the Birds

Listen to Music

Fold Towels

Hold a Baby Doll

Set the Dinner Table

Cut out Coupons Games

Types of Activities:

Moment by Moment