Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 28 views

    Con Dem and Dep

    Uploaded by

    shuteki
    This document discusses confusion, dementia, and depression in older adults. It defines acute confusion (delirium) as a temporary change in mental state that can be caused by medical issues and is often reversible, while chronic confusion (dementia) occurs slowly over years and is caused by physical brain changes. It describes several types of dementia like Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Depression is common in older adults, especially those with medical conditions, and can cause similar symptoms to dementia like changes in sleep, appetite, and concentration. The document provides information on diagnosing and treating these conditions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Con Dem and Dep

    Uploaded by

    shuteki
    28 views23 pages
    This document discusses confusion, dementia, and depression in older adults. It defines acute confusion (delirium) as a temporary change in mental state that can be caused by medical issues and is often reversible, while chronic confusion (dementia) occurs slowly over years and is caused by physical brain changes. It describes several types of dementia like Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Depression is common in older adults, especially those with medical conditions, and can cause similar symptoms to dementia like changes in sleep, appetite, and concentration. The document provides information on diagnosing and treating these conditions.

    Original Description:

    Confuse

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    This document discusses confusion, dementia, and depression in older adults. It defines acute confusion (delirium) as a temporary change in mental state that can be caused by medical issues and is often reversible, while chronic confusion (dementia) occurs slowly over years and is caused by physical brain changes. It describes several types of dementia like Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Depression is common in older adults, especially those with medical conditions, and can cause similar symptoms to dementia like changes in sleep, appetite, and concentration. The document provides information on diagnosing and treating these conditions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    28 views23 pages

    Con Dem and Dep

    Uploaded by

    shuteki
    This document discusses confusion, dementia, and depression in older adults. It defines acute confusion (delirium) as a temporary change in mental state that can be caused by medical issues and is often reversible, while chronic confusion (dementia) occurs slowly over years and is caused by physical brain changes. It describes several types of dementia like Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Depression is common in older adults, especially those with medical conditions, and can cause similar symptoms to dementia like changes in sleep, appetite, and concentration. The document provides information on diagnosing and treating these conditions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 23

    CONFUSION, DEMENTIA

    AND DEPRESSION
    KELLY KIRKPATRICK, BSN, RN-BC

    OBJECTIVES

    Explain the difference between


    acute and chronic confusion
    Describe depression and how it is
    similar to and different from
    confusion

    TOUR OF THE BRAIN


    Alzheimers Association:
    http://www.alz.org/braintour/3_main_parts.
    asp

    CHRONIC VS. ACUTE CONFUSION


    Dementia

    Chronic
    Changes in mental
    abilities that occur
    slowly; over weeks to
    years
    Caused by physical
    changes in the brain
    Usually not reversible

    Delirium

    Acute
    Changes in mental
    abilities that occur
    quickly; over hours to
    days
    Caused by toxins in the
    brain
    Usually reversible

    TYPES OF DEMENTIA

    Alzheimers Disease
    Vascular Dementia
    Frontotemporal Dementia
    Lewey Body Dementia

    IS IT NORMAL AGING OR DEMENTIA?

    Alzheimers Association: 10 signs


    http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_
    10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp

    ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
    Progressive decline
    May include problems with:

    Memory loss (especially short-term)


    Executive function
    Personality changes
    Functional ability
    Sundowning
    Behavior
    Speaking and swallowing

    WHATS HAPPENING IN THE BRAIN?

    Alzheimers Association
    http://www.alz.org/braintour/alzheimers_
    changes.asp

    ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
    Diagnosis
    No single test to
    diagnose
    Mainly based on
    mental and
    behavioral changes
    Blood tests and scans
    to rule out other
    causes

    Treatment
    No cure
    Some medications
    available to slow
    progression of
    symptoms

    VASCULAR DEMENTIA
    Caused by changes in the blood flow
    to the brain
    Can have a slow or sudden onset
    Similar changes in memory, language,
    and motor abilities as in Alzheimers
    Disease

    VASCULAR DEMENTIA
    Diagnosis
    Screening to identify
    mental and
    behavioral changes
    Sometimes changes
    in blood flow to the
    brain can be seen on
    scans (CT, MRI)

    Treatment
    Whats good for the
    heart is good for the
    brain
    Manage blood
    pressure, blood sugar
    and cholesterol

    FRONTOTEMPORAL LOBE DEMENTIA


    Frontal and temporal lobes of the
    brain shrink which affects their
    functioning
    Usually occurs between ages of 35-75
    May run in families
    Usually first changes are in language
    and behavior
    Often causes socially inappropriate
    behavior

    LEWY BODY DEMENTIA


    Caused by abnormal deposits in the brain
    called Lewy bodies
    Early, well-formed visual hallucinations are
    common
    Often develop Parkinsons-like movements
    (shuffling gait, hunched posture, rigid
    muscles)
    Usually less drastic fluctuations in memory
    and thinking than in Alzheimers or vascular
    dementia

    DELIRIUM

    Acute change in mental abilities


    that occurs quickly, usually over
    hours or days
    Caused by toxins in the brain
    Usually reversible, especially if
    treated early

    DELIRIUM SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS


    Sudden change
    Very sleepy and drowsy or agitated and restless
    New difficulty focusing; very easily distracted
    Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting,
    feeling)
    Delusions (usually paranoid)
    Disorganized thinking

    Incoherent or rambling speech; switching unpredictably


    from subject to subject

    POSSIBLE CAUSES OF DELIRIUM

    Infection (especially urinary or respiratory)


    Stroke
    Heart attack
    Medications
    Drugs/alcohol
    Dehydration
    Pain
    Severe constipation
    Liver or kidney problems
    Breathing problems

    TREATMENT OF DELIRIUM
    Key to reversal of delirium is to find and
    treat the cause of the delirium as soon
    as possible
    If left untreated, can cause permanent
    changes in mental abilities
    People with dementia are at a higher
    risk to develop delirium

    DEPRESSION
    How common is depression in older adults?

    Living at home: 2%
    Chronically Ill: 9%
    Hospitalized: 36%
    Nursing home (cognitively intact): 10-20%
    Nursing home (cognitively impaired): 50-70%
    Stroke: 47%
    Heart attack: 45%
    Parkinsons: 39%

    (from uptodate.com)

    RISK FACTORS FOR DEPRESSION IN


    OLDER ADULTS
    Female
    Widowed, divorced or separated
    Social isolation
    Other medical conditions
    Uncontrolled pain
    Insomnia
    Functional impairment
    Cognitive impairment

    SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

    Feeling down
    Decreased interest or pleasure in activities*
    Weight change*
    Problems sleeping*
    Restless or sluggish*
    Having no energy
    Feeling guilty or worthless
    Problems thinking or making decisions*
    Suicidal thoughts
    *Can also happen with dementia/delirium

    TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION

    Support groups
    Counseling
    Regular exercise
    Medications

    IF YOURE LOVED ONE HAS


    DEPRESSION
    Rememberit is not your fault!
    Help establish a daily routine and try to schedule
    challenging tasks for times of day the person usually
    feels best
    Include daily physical activity, especially in the
    morning
    Make a list of activities, people and places the
    person enjoys and incorporate them into the daily
    routine
    Acknowledge persons feelings of
    sadness/frustration
    Provide reassurance and celebrate small successes

    RESOURCES FOR HELP


    Alzheimers Association
    https://www.alz.org/we_can_help.asp

    You might also like