Health Science Exam 1 - Dementia and Alzheimers

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),

dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and major cause of disability and dependency among older people globally

How many seniors die with Alzheimers or dementia

1 in 3

How often is someone diagnosed with a dementia disease?

Every 60 seconds

Who are th the two patients in a dementia disease?

The person with the disease and the caregiver. Caregiving is physically, morally, and spiritually challenging.

Do dementia disease discriminate to a certain group?

No, anybody has the possibility of being diagnosed.

How does dementia vary per patient?

Everything can vary from symptoms, progression, medical response, and duration. Physical and mental health and medical conditions can manifest as the disease progresses.

Why is it different to be diagnosed with a dementia disease?

There is not business model for caring for a dementia patient like there are with other disease. Every dementia patient is different.

Who else does dementia disease affect outside of the patient diagnosed?

It can affect family, friends, employers, social organizations, and emergency services

What do dementia disease create an overwhelming financial burden on?

individuals, families, communities, social security, businesses, medicaid/medicare, and social systems

In 2022, alzheimer’s and other dementias cost the nation how much? and how much is expected by 2050?

$321 billion in 2022 and expected to be nearly $1 trillion by 2050

Is dementia a normal part of aging?

NOOOO

What is dementia?

A symptom of a disease disabling cognitive impairments

What are some diseases that have dementia as a symptom?

Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body disease, and FTD

What percentage of adults have at least one chronic health conditions? What percentage have two or more?

80% of adults 65+ have at least one chronic health conditions and 68% have two or more

What are a few risk factors for developing dementia OVER age 65?

A few include, diabetes, hearing loss, dental health, alcohol abuse, shingles, and down syndrome

What are a few risk factors for developing dementia UNDER age 65?

Social isolation, heart disease, stroke, hearing impairment, lower formal education, and vitamin D deficiency

Does dementia change the brain?

YES

What is the executive function for dementia diseases?

M2T2

Money, Medications, Technology, and Transportation

What are the instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)?

Managing finances, managing medication, transportation, managing living space

What are the activities of daily living (ADLs)?

walking, self-feeding, dressing, toileting, and personal hygiene

What are other senses affects by dementia aside of the 5 main senses?

• Proprioception: where body parts are and what they are doing

• Nociception: feeling pain

• Thermoreception: sensing temperature

• Interoception: internal needs awareness such as thirst or hunger

• Visuospatial abilities: Depth perception, reading, driving, recognizing face and location objects, risk of wandering

What are some physical comorbidities of dementia?

falls, frailty, sleep disorders, oral disease, weight gain/loss, and delusions

What does the diagnosis and treatment look like for someone with a dementia disease?

Many go undiagnosed for a long time. Creating an accurate diagnoses can take years. Other diseases are eliminated by testing first.

Early assessment and intervention is needed to: slow functional decline and or prevent memory care placement. help with future planning (medical, financial, legal, support)

What drugs are available for symptoms and behvaiors

Anti-anxiety, antidepressants, glutamate modulators, cholinesterase inhibitors

What are the anti-amyloid treatments available?

Donanemab, Lecanemab, or Aducanumab(discontinued)

Why is this information important for young adults?

45% of lifestyle-associated dementia risk can be attributed to 14 potentially modifiable risk factors

What is the NextGen brain health do?

International research study exploring brain health in young adults 18-39 years old

What can we do for dementia disease patients?

Advocate, educate and agitate

How can be advocate, educate, and agitate?

educate policy makers, more effective medication, awareness and improves quality of dementia care in primary medicine, more and affordable adult day care facilities, better training, and money credits to caregivers.

How did COVID-19 affect dementia?

COVID-19 contributed to 17% increase in Alzheimer’s and dementia deaths. Extreme staffing shortages in care facilities, and long term COVID-19 symptoms can include cognitive decline