Essay on Understanding Dementia in the Elderly - 532 Words

Delirium, Depression, and Dementia are some of the most common psychological diagnoses in the elderly today. The three D’s are difficult to differentiate between in older adults because they overlap with each other and can all exist in the same patient at once. Delirium, Dementia, and Depression all affect the elderly’s quality of life and often increase the risks for one another (Downing, Caprio Lyness, 2013). For the purpose of this paper I will be focusing primarily on the diagnosis of Dementia, the prevention, and nursing measures associated with it, but first I would like to differentiate between Delirium and Depression because Dementia is often associated with the two in the older adult population. Delirium is a cognitive disorder†¦show more content†¦Typical presenting symptoms in older adults are weakness, insomnia, hypersomnia, headache, fatigue, irritability, chronic constipation, pain, agitation, and unintentional weight loss/change. Dementia and Delirium are also known to have higher rates of depression in older adults. The Geriatric Depression Scale, Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, and the nine item Patient Health Questionnaire are screening tools utilized when an older adult presents with signs and symptoms of depression (Downing, Caprio Lyness, 2013). Dementia is a progressive diagnosis that takes place over months or years. Dementia occurs in stops compared to other psychological diagnoses in the elderly and age is a major risk factor. The older the adult the increased risk of dementia occurring. There are different forms of dementia, but Alzheimers is the most prevalent of all the types. Dementia, as stated above, is associated with delirium during an acute illness and is hard to identify in patients with underlying dementia. Dementia causes a decline in executive fncitoning and memory, as a result, decreasing the patients overall quality of life because their activities of daily living become more and more limited. Behaviors and changes in mood are also noted in these patients, such as;Show MoreRelatedSymptoms And Treatment Of Frontotemporal Dementia995 Words   |  4 Pagesincrease in the number of elderlies in the United States. One of the largest generations reaching elderly status also brings an increase in curiosity on t heir health; particularly their mental health. With nearly 69% of practicing psychologist working with older patients, it is clear that there is a particular interest in how the elderly behave and think (Kring Johnson, 2015). This curiosity and prevalence of elderlies brings along an increase awareness of commonly thought â€Å"elderly specific† illnessesRead MoreMemory Is Key For Self Identity And Well Being Essay1429 Words   |  6 Pagessomeone with Alzheimer’s? 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