Dementia

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Tests used in diagnosing dementia

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Personal history A doctor may talk to the person about their medical history and gather information about any changes in their memory and thinking. Due to the progressive nature of the disease, it is usually helpful to have someone close to the person affected also help with the taking of their personal history. The doctor may at this time suggest a simple cognitive test (see below). There are also several other types of test they can do to help diagnose dementia. Physical examination A doctor may examine the person for any physical causes of their symptoms. Neurological examination This will

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Living with dementia

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts It is normal to feel a range of emotions after you are diagnosed with dementia. Dementia can make it hard to complete some everyday tasks. There are many strategies you can use to have a full and active life with dementia. It’s important to seek support from your friends, family and doctor. They can help you maximise your quality of life with dementia. Being diagnosed with dementia can be difficult. At first, you may not notice anything different. But over time, dementia can make it more challenging for you to complete everyday tasks. With support, you can still

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and dementia

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

What is dementia? Dementia is a broad term used to describe the gradual loss of someone’s memory, thinking and social skills. In many ways, dementia in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people is no different from dementia in any other population.  Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people experience dementia at a rate 3 to 5 times higher than the general population. They are also more likely to develop dementia at a younger age (in their 30s or 40s). This article highlights some issues that are particularly important for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. It is drawn from several sources,

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Creating a calming, helpful home for people with dementia

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts For people with dementia, their physical environment can play an important role in helping them stay safe, comfortable and as independent as possible. Small changes like labelling cupboards and installing handrails can help with problems like memory loss, disorientation, coordination and mobility. It’s important to only make changes to address the person’s particular challenges. Any unnecessary changes may only add to their confusion. Making sure rooms are safe and familiar can help a person with dementia to feel calm and recall happy memories. Supportive aids like medication reminders and blister packs can reduce the risk of accidents, support

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#D #Memory disorders

Dementia – an overview

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Dementia is a condition that affects your thinking, behaviour and ability to do everyday tasks. While dementia is more common in older Australians, it is not a normal part of ageing. See your doctor if you have memory loss, difficulty with familiar tasks, language problems or changes in mood or personality. There is no cure for dementia. Caring for someone with dementia can be difficult, so make sure you get help and look after yourself. What is dementia? Dementia is a broad term used to describe the gradual loss of your: memory intellect ability to think rationally social

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Lewy body disease

By Sama Mohamed

What is Lewy body disease? Lewy body disease is a disorder where round clumps of protein (called Lewy bodies) build up abnormally in the brain, causing the death of nerve cells. The Lewy bodies affect specific areas of the brain, which leads to symptoms affecting memory, thinking, movement and behaviour. Lewy body disease is a feature of several conditions, including: dementia with Lewy bodies Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease dementia The term Lewy body dementia is used to describe the brain changes caused by Lewy bodies that is seen in all the conditions. What are the symptoms of Lewy body disease?

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Frontotemporal dementia

By Sama Mohamed

What is frontotemporal dementia? Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a term for several diseases that affect the front and side lobes of the brain — the parts of the brain that control mood, social behaviour, attention, judgement, planning and self-control. It often affects people at a younger age than Alzheimer’s disease, typically between 45 and 65. FTD causes the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain to progressively shrink (atrophy). Depending on which parts of the brain are affected, a person with FTD may experience reduced intellectual abilities, personality changes, emotional problems, or lose the ability to use language. Unlike in Alzheimer’s

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Dementia and driving

By Sama Mohamed

Dementia and driving What is dementia? Dementia is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday tasks. There are many causes of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Dementia is more common in older people but can affect people in their 40s and 50s. Dementia can affect memory, concentration, judgement and vision, which makes driving a car more difficult. If you have dementia, regular medical check-ups can help you keep track of your condition and whether it is safe for you to drive. How does dementia affect driving ability? Dementia can make driving unsafe because it can affect

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Dementia (vascular)

By Sama Mohamed

Vascular dementia What is vascular dementia? Vascular dementia is a form of dementia that develops because of problems with the blood’s circulation to the brain. It causes problems with reasoning, planning, judgement, memory and other thinking. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. People with vascular dementia tend to decline more rapidly than people with Alzheimer’s disease. What are the symptoms of vascular dementia? The symptoms of vascular dementia are often similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease, and the 2 conditions often occur together. The symptoms of vascular dementia depend on which part of the

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Dementia (an overview)

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Dementia is a condition that affects your thinking, behaviour and ability to do everyday tasks. While dementia is more common in older Australians, it is not a normal part of ageing. See your doctor if you have memory loss, difficulty with familiar tasks, language problems or changes in mood or personality. There is no cure for dementia. Caring for someone with dementia can be difficult, so make sure you get help and look after yourself. What is dementia? Dementia is a broad term used to describe the gradual loss of your: memory intellect ability to think rationally social

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#D #Memory disorders

Delirium and dementia

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Delirium is a sudden change in your thinking and behaviour. Delirium is often caused by changes in your health, such as an infection or a medicine change. If you are in hospital and at risk of delirium, your doctor will provide care to stop delirium from happening. What is delirium? Delirium is a common problem. It appears as a sudden change in your thinking and behaviour. Delirium happens quickly and only lasts for a few days. Delirium often happens in older people, but it can happen at any age. People who have delirium when they are in hospital

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Supporting carers of people with dementia

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts It can be physically and emotionally demanding to care for someone with dementia. You can get help to care for someone with dementia. It is important you look after yourself, so you can stay well and keep giving care. Respite is when someone else takes care of the person to give you a break. You can choose from different types of respite care, including adult day care centres and long-term care facilities. What does caring for someone with dementia involve? Caregiving can be both rewarding and challenging. Some carers are in paid roles, but often carers are family

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Younger onset dementia

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

What is younger onset dementia? Younger onset dementia is used to describe any form of dementia that develops in people under the age of 65. Dementia has been diagnosed in people in their 50s, 40s and even in their 30s. It is sometimes called early onset dementia. Younger onset dementia is similar to other types of dementia in many ways. The same problems generally occur, but the disease can have a different impact on a younger person because they are more likely to be employed full time, raising a family or financially responsible for a family. What are the symptoms of younger

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