Confusion and Dementia Terminology and Abbreviations

Cognitive Function

involves memory, thinking, reasoning, understanding, judgement, and behaviour

Confusion

a state of being disoriented to person, time, place, situation, or identity

Delirium

a state of being disoriented to person, time, place, situation, or identity

Dementia

the loss of cognitive function that interferes with daily life and activities

Delusion

a false belief

Elopement

when a patient or resident leaves the agency without staff knowledge

Hallucination

seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, or tasting something that is not real

Paranoia

a disorder of the mind; false beliefs and suspicion about a person or situation

AD

Alzheimer’s disease

ADL

Activities of daily living

CMS

Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services

NIA

National Institute on Aging

Vascular dementia

stroke or other blood vessel problems damage vessels that supply blood to the brain.

Lewy body dementia

abnormal protein deposits in the brain (Lewy bodies) affect chemicals in the brain

Fronto-temporal disorders

nerve cells in certain areas of the brain (front and sides) break down

Mixed dementia

2 or more types of dementia occur together

Alzheimer's

many brain cells are destroyed and die, connections between nerve cells are lost, the brain shrinks from nerve cells death and tissue loss

Plaques

protein pieces that build up in the spaces between nerve cells

Tangles

twisted protein fibers that build up inside cells

Mild Alzheimer's 

early stage of AD that includes gradual cognitive decline that affects daily functioning

Moderate Alzheimer's

middle stage of AD that includes significant cognitive decline and functional impairments that interfere with daily life

Severe Alzheimer's 

Advanced/late stage of AD that includes significant cognitive decline, loss of physical abilities, and a decline in overall health

Sundowning

signs, symptoms, and behaviors of AD increase during hours of darkness.

Repetitive Behaviors

repeating the same motions, words, or questions over and over

Memory Care Units

nursing centers that have a secured unit and safe setting (to move about) so residents cannot wander away

Validation Therapy

a way to communicate with persons with dementia; provide empathy, understanding, and respect to the person's feelings and experiences