The Journey of Dementia
Christiana Dover
West Coast University
The Journey of Dementia Thoughts, memories, decisions, and actions are all controlled by the brain. What happens when the brain is damaged? Suddenly, the face that you recognize no longer has a name and the words you are trying to find are no longer there. Everyday tasks are a bit more challenging, and simple operations take more thought. Dementia is the combination of two or more malfunctions in the brain that can effect judgement, memory, motor skills, and language. More than 47 million people are effected worldwide. (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Dementia has many causes, effects, and therapies.
Dementia and It’s Causes Dementia itself is not a disease. Dementia is a grouping of symptoms that together, result in a severe decline of mentality. Dementia is caused by an underlying disease or trauma to the brain. If the cells and neurons are damaged, dementia …show more content…
“If you don’t use it, you lose it.” A similar approach is taken in the many different therapies used to help patients with dementia. A common theme is to keep the mind going. These are called Mind-Body Therapies. While there are numerous different approaches, a few are more commonly used. A relaxation therapy focuses on de-stressing the patient. Stress can cause distress in a patient which may speed up certain symptoms. The relaxation is done through techniques, such as meditation and massages. Another therapy uses art and music. Playing music from the patients past and allowing them to engage and involve themselves has been shown to reduce negative behavior and improve social relationships in those with dementia. Another therapy includes the environment. Sounds, feelings, smells, and the sight of the environment has a calming and pleasing reaction. This has reduced outbursts and wandering. (Sierpina, V. S., Sierpina, M., Loera, J. A., & Grumbles, L.
Christiana Dover
West Coast University
The Journey of Dementia Thoughts, memories, decisions, and actions are all controlled by the brain. What happens when the brain is damaged? Suddenly, the face that you recognize no longer has a name and the words you are trying to find are no longer there. Everyday tasks are a bit more challenging, and simple operations take more thought. Dementia is the combination of two or more malfunctions in the brain that can effect judgement, memory, motor skills, and language. More than 47 million people are effected worldwide. (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Dementia has many causes, effects, and therapies.
Dementia and It’s Causes Dementia itself is not a disease. Dementia is a grouping of symptoms that together, result in a severe decline of mentality. Dementia is caused by an underlying disease or trauma to the brain. If the cells and neurons are damaged, dementia …show more content…
“If you don’t use it, you lose it.” A similar approach is taken in the many different therapies used to help patients with dementia. A common theme is to keep the mind going. These are called Mind-Body Therapies. While there are numerous different approaches, a few are more commonly used. A relaxation therapy focuses on de-stressing the patient. Stress can cause distress in a patient which may speed up certain symptoms. The relaxation is done through techniques, such as meditation and massages. Another therapy uses art and music. Playing music from the patients past and allowing them to engage and involve themselves has been shown to reduce negative behavior and improve social relationships in those with dementia. Another therapy includes the environment. Sounds, feelings, smells, and the sight of the environment has a calming and pleasing reaction. This has reduced outbursts and wandering. (Sierpina, V. S., Sierpina, M., Loera, J. A., & Grumbles, L.