An Introduction to dementia: a list useful for staff training.

I always like short introductions – pruning information back to it’s bare essentials takes skill. Sure there is more to say on dementia but this is a good starting place for a staff training session.

Health Tip: Warning Signs of Dementia
It’s more than just memory loss

 

(HealthDay News) — Dementia is more than just ordinary forgetfulness or inability to remember. It can also affect a person’s personality, communication skills, and even mood.

Here are common symptoms of dementia, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Recent memory loss, not just forgetfulness.
• Problems remembering how to do everyday tasks.
• Forgetting words or appropriate grammar.
• Poor judgment, such as forgetting to wear a coat in cold weather.
• Getting lost, or not remembering how to get home.
• Difficulty understanding abstract concepts, like math.
• Moodiness, drastic changes in personality, or sudden loss of interest in activities.

Not every person with dementia has all of these symptoms, the academy says.

Read Full Post »