HW: Confusion and Dementia Terminology and Abbreviations (Note-sheet or flashcards)

Cognitive Function

Relates to mental processes like thinking, memory, learning, and problem-solving. It is essential for daily functioning and overall well-being.

Confusion

A state of bewilderment or disorientation affecting one's clarity of thought, often resulting in difficulty understanding or responding to the environment.

Delirium

A sudden and severe confusion that affects attention and awareness, often caused by medical conditions, medications, or substance abuse.

Dementia

A progressive decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life, often characterized by memory loss, difficulty with language, and impaired reasoning.

Delusion

A false belief that is strongly held despite evidence to the contrary, often seen in psychiatric disorders.

Elopement

The act of leaving a healthcare facility without authorization, often a concern for patients with cognitive impairments or behavioral issues.

Hallucination

A sensory perception that occurs in the absence of an external stimulus, often involving seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not present, common in various mental health conditions.

Paranoia

An irrational fear or suspicion of others, often leading to feelings of persecution or threats that may not be based on reality.

AD

A common form of dementia characterized by a decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills, often impacting daily functioning. AKA Alzheimer's disease

ADL

Activities of Daily Living

CMS

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

NIA

National Institute on Aging

Vascular dementia

A subtype of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to strokes or other vascular issues.

Lewy body dementia

A type of progressive dementia associated with abnormal aggregations of alpha-synuclein protein in the brain, leading to cognitive decline, hallucinations, and movement disorders.

Fronto-temporal disorders

A group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes, leading to changes in personality, behavior, and language abilities.

Mixed dementia

A combination of two or more types of dementia, often involving both vascular and Alzheimer's disease processes, leading to a range of cognitive impairments.

Alzheimer's

The most common form of dementia, characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and changes in behavior due to the degeneration of brain cells.

Plaques

Abnormal protein deposits in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease, contributing to neuron damage and cognitive decline.

Tangles

Twisted fibers of protein that accumulate inside brain cells, disrupting cell function and contributing to cognitive decline.

Mild Alzheimer's 

A less severe stage of Alzheimer's disease where individuals experience some memory loss and confusion, but can still perform many daily activities and maintain some independence.

Moderate Alzheimer's 

A stage of Alzheimer's disease characterized by increased memory loss and confusion, making it difficult for individuals to perform daily activities independently. Individuals may require assistance with personal care and may experience changes in behavior.

Severe Alzheimer's 

The final stage of Alzheimer's disease where individuals experience profound memory loss, confusion, and inability to communicate. They require full-time assistance for personal care and may become unresponsive.

Sundowning

A phenomenon in which individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments experience increased confusion, agitation, or behavioral changes during the late afternoon or evening hours.

Repetitive Behaviors

Actions that are persistently repeated by individuals with dementia, often as a response to confusion or anxiety, and may include tasks like pacing, hand-wringing, or repeated questions.

Memory Care Units

Specialized facilities or sections within assisted living or nursing homes designed to provide tailored care for individuals with memory impairments such as dementia. Focuses on safety, engagement, and support for cognitive decline.

Validation Therapy

A therapeutic approach used in dementia care that emphasizes validating the feelings and experiences of the individual, rather than correcting or confronting them.