NOW WHERE HAVE I PUT MY GLASSES? A DISCUSSION AROUND DEMENTIA

Dr Marion Overton

U3A SCIENCE 19TH JUNE 2015

Possible reasons for misplacing glasses

Poor vision “Usual place” not there Preoccupation Disorientation

Including “Toxic confusional state” Any other disturbance of brain function

Eg depression, stroke

What is Dementia?

“Loss of recent memory” Brain cells die more quickly than in normal

ageing Permanent Cognitive ability no longer adequate to

cope with one’s environment

How common is it?

>800,000 people with dementia in UK Estimate > 1 million in 2021 17,000 aged under 65 In Derbyshire, 11 new diagnoses / day Cost: £26.2 billion per year

Family & friend carers save £11 billion/year

Types of Memory Working memory -short term (7 items) Episodic

past events & emotions Semantic

words & factsfamiliar faces & objects

Prospective - future events Procedural - learnt activities

(see “The Memory Handbook”)

Brain Structure

Causes of Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s Disease

Causes of Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease Vascular Lewy Body

Lewy Body dementia

Causes of Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease Vascular Lewy Body Rarer causes, some treatable, eg

AlcoholLow vitamin B12Low thyroid hormone

How do I spot it in others?

Recent memory Other brain function involvement eg

Movement and CoordinationSwallowing and speechPersonality

Challenging behaviour

How is dementia diagnosed?

Not by GPs! Memory testing eg MMSE Psychiatric assessment Review of medication Blood tests Brain scan

How can it be treated?

Cholinesterase inhibitors (MMSE 20-10) Aricept (Donezepil hydrochloride) Exelon (Rivastigmine) Reminyl (Galantamine)

Occupational therapy, speech and language, community psychiatric nurses

(National Dementia Strategy 2009)

How can we help someone with dementia?

“24-hour wraparound care for lifelong well-being”

Contented Dementia by Oliver JamesISBN 978-0-09-190180-6

1. No questions

2. Learn where your friend’s mind is now

3. Don’t contradict

Practical care

Research dementia care homes Lasting Power of Attorney, and a Will Claim benefits Lots of reassurance! But safety issues Get help with Challenging Behaviour Care for the Carers Become a Dementia Friend

How can I avoid getting dementia?

Genetic forms Vascular Delaying the onset

“reinforcement of your cognitive reserve”“better recruitment of your neuronal network”

Current Research areas

Genetics –Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia

Early Diagnosis –abnormal proteins eg amyloid-beta

Clinical tests for different types of dementia New drug treatments Immunotherapy –antibodies against rogue

proteins

Thank you

Literature

Alzheimer’s Society 0300 222 1122 help@alzheimers.org.uk, Help the Aged, Age Concern

Friends www.dementiafriends.org.uk Carers 01773 743355 www.derbyshirecarers.co.uk Elder Abuse response line 080 8808 8141

marion.overton@btinternet.com