Abstract
The paper relates that the functional changes of patients with dementia are significant to researchers and to clinical practitioners alike because age-associated dementia is chronic and progressive. The paper discusses how persons diagnosed with dementia will continue to suffer an ongoing decline in their cognitive functions throughout their natural lives, which has repercussions for the affected person, their personal and professional lives, and for those who seek to provide care. This paper explores the pathophysiology of age-associated dementia and clarifies the scope and impact of these functional changes on the affected patient. Then, the implications of dementia are discussed in respect to the clinical concepts associated with the disease.

From the Paper
"Dementia is a complex psychological disorder with physiological, emotional, and behavioral repercussions. Dementia can manifest in multiple forms, including disease-associated dementia and vascular dementia, but the most common type of dementia is age-associated dementia and occurs because of progressive deterioration of function in the cerebral cortex. "In order of prevalence, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy-body disease are the most common causes of dementia in elderly...""

Tags:dementia, elder, care

Abstract
The following presents the topic of biological, psychological, and social aspects of vascular dementia. A brief introduction to vascular dementia is presented followed by a discussion of the various aspects of dementia. A summary and conclusions are provided.

From the Paper
"The following presents the topic of biological, psychological and social aspects of vascular dementia. A discussion of the biological, psychological and social aspects of vascular dementia follows a brief introduction to vascular dementia. Findings show that dementia is a common term used to describe cognitive impairment in the elderly and vascular dementia is the second most common cause of this dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Symptoms overlap but differ for these two diseases, but both include cognitive decline, psychological symptoms such as depression and decreased social functioning."

Tags:VASCULAR, DEMENTIA

Abstract
This paper gives an in-depth description of front temporal dementia (FTD), a disorder which takes place in those parts of the brain affected by the problem of dementia. The paper further discusses the pathology of dementia, which is caused by differing pathological processes leading to damage in the frontal and/or the temporal parts of the brain. The paper concludes by stating that damage from FTD is linked to dysfunctions of the tau gene or tau protein.

From the Paper
"Front temporal dementia (FTD) takes place in those parts of the brain preferentially affected by the problem of dementia, which is itself caused by differing pathological processes leading to damage in the frontal and/or the temporal parts of the brain. These areas are largely responsible for such clinical manifestations as behavior, emotional response, and language skills. Damage in these areas can give rise to forms of frontal dementia and language disord5rs such as semantic dementia and primary progressive aphasia. This damage is linked to dysfunctions of the tau gene or tau protein and can lead to a classification based on..."

Tags:front, temporal, dementia

Abstract
The paper looks at the pathological changes of Alzheimer's dementia which form the rationale behind the use of centrally-acting cholinergics as palliative therapy for this disease. The paper explores a relatively new concept in therapy that is centered around inhibition of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-specific receptors. The paper conducts a review of the pathogenesis, clinical features and pathological findings of Alzheimer's dementia by searching medical publication databases. The paper discusses the four main drugs used in present therapy and also mentions other therapies.

From the Paper
"Alzheimer's dementia is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that afflicts 5 million people in the United States and more than 30 million people worldwide (Kuljis, 2005). It primarily affects a relatively large proportion of neurons in the hippocampus and the nucleus basalis of Meynert (Victor & Ropper, 2001). This area is the origin of a large number of neocortical cholinergic terminals and production of acetylcholine, which forms the rationale behind the use of centrally-acting cholinergics (Kuljis, 2005). Another approach is centered on inhibition of the..."

Tags:alzheimer, dementia, pharmacotherapy

Abstract
This paper takes the position that leisure activities can lead to a reduced risk of dementia. The paper reviews the literature supporting this position and describes and gives statistics on dementia.

From the Paper
"In general, dementia is defined as an irreversible loss of mental abilities, occurring most commonly in later life. (Breitner). According to Cummings, most people with some form of dementia are over sixty-five years of age with most dementia cases occurring after 70 years of age. Specifically, about..."

Tags:dementia, elderly, leisure activities

Abstract
This paper discusses vascular dementia, a cerebrovascular disease that results in dementia. The paper includes an evaluation of the nature of the disorder, information about which age group it is most common in, and a discussion of its significance.

From the Paper
"The following literature review presents the topic of vascular dementia. A statement of the disorder and its significance, descriptions of methods overview of the literature, and a summary of findings are presented. Within this discussion..."

Tags:vascular, dementia, disorder, biological, psychological, disease, cewrebrovascular

Abstract
This paper explains that, since dementia is most commonly seen in the elderly, it is often erroneously considered to be part of the normal aging process; however, it is important to remember that dementia is a condition that is a result of a disease or trauma and does not occur in a healthy person simply because of old age. The author points out that the two most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease and multi infarct dementia; both types are irreversible and cannot be cured, although there progress can be slowed with proper treatment. The paper relates that people with multi infarct dementia can be helped by controlling their blood pressure, blood cholesterol and diabetes to prevent further strokes; by using medications for reducing agitation, anxiety, depression, or sleeping problems; by avoiding alcohol and smoking and by continuing physical and mental activities.

Table of Contents
Is Dementia an Inevitable Part of the Aging Process?
Differentiating Dementia and Normal Aging Process
Types of Dementia
Diagnosing Dementia and the Role of the Cognitive Psychologist in Diagnosis
Helping Patients to Cope with Dementia
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Dementia affects our memory, decision-making, judgment, spatial orientation, thinking, reasoning, and verbal communication. Its symptoms may include asking the same questions repeatedly; becoming lost in familiar places; being unable to follow directions; getting disoriented about time, people, and places; and neglecting personal safety, hygiene, and nutrition. Similar symptoms are sometimes displayed by older people due to emotional problems, which can be mistaken for dementia. These emotional problems may be triggered in the older people due to the trauma of major changes in their lives such as at the time of retirement or having to cope with the death of a spouse, relative, or friend. Such emotional upheavals leave an old person feeling sad, lonely, worried, or bored. Adapting to these life-changing events can confusion and forgetfulness in some people-the classic symptoms of dementia. Fortunately, emotional problems can be eased by supportive friends and family, or by treatment from professional doctors, psychologists or counselors and are not a permanent feature. Furthermore, certain physical conditions such as high fever, dehydration, vitamin deficiency and poor nutrition, bad reactions to medicines, problems with the thyroid gland, or a minor head injury may also result in dementia-like symptoms but the resulting condition is not dementia and needs to be treated differently."

Tags:memory, treatment, disease, multi-infarct, alzheimer's

Abstract
Dementia, allied with depression and alcohol or substance abuse, increases challenges for the elderly and their caregivers. Wernicke's disease and Korsakoff's syndrome are the most recognized types of alcohol-dementia. The paper shows that symptoms of alcohol or substance abuse can be disguised as depression, dementia or other problems associated with aging. Dementia is a condition that does not have a cure; however, depression and alcohol or substance abuse are treatable and may reverse some types of dementia. The paper shows that the best approach to treatment is a combination of therapies, which may provide help and support to the caregiver as well as manage symptoms. Disease case management along with effective outpatient treatment approaches may postpone or reduce nursing home placement.

Paper Outline:
Abstract
Dementia Allied with Depression and Alcohol or Substance Abuse
Dementia
Depression
Dementia and Depression
Substance Abuse
Alcohol-Related Dementia
Treatment
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Depression coexisting with dementia has often been overlooked because of the emphasis on distinguishing the two conditions; however, it should be recognized that depression is a shared concomitant of dementia (Woods, 2001, p. S10). Depression may be a predictor of some forms of dementia and is considered a major health risk in the elderly (Tierney, Boyle, Lam, & Szalai, 1999, p. 1). Studies show that depression is the most common psychiatric disease in individuals 65 years and older, commonly occurring in more than 30% of the frail and disabled elderly (Polidori, Menculini, Senin, & Mecocci, 2001, p. 533)."

Tags:memory, loss, ALD, autonomy, medication

Abstract
Dementia is a deficiency of mental ability acute enough to hinder with normal actions of daily living, which persists for more than six months, which is not present from birth and which is not connected with loss or modification of consciousness. This paper examines the causes, influences and treatment of dementia and looks at how taking care of people with dementia is a physically, mentally and emotionally strenuous task.

Outline
Introduction
Causes for Dementia
Dementia Related Behaviors
Dementia Influenced by Environment
Environment Modifications to Treat Dementia
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The term Dementia is used for a range of states that include loss of mental ability and so is the reason for problems with memory, language, behavior and emotions. In the elderly people, Dementia is common. To some extent this affects people above the age of 65. Dementia is caused by problems in the manner in which the brain functions. The cause for Dementia is the non-functioning or dying of neurons. This often alters the levels of different neurotransmitters, which affect the function of the brain. Dementia is not a standard part of aging. It is different from the slight poor memory that occurs in the elderly."

Tags:brain, menory, parkinson, alzheimer

Abstract
This paper explains that the term "dementia" is used by the medical community to describe patients with impaired intellectual capacity; dementia patients may also be labelled as having "presenile" or "senile" dementia, "chronic" or "organic brain syndrome," "arterio-sclerosis," or
"cerebral atrophy". The author points out that two of the most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, which causes the brain to lose its ability and makes it stop functioning normally, and multi-infarct dementia in which a blockage in the blood vessels causes damage to different parts of the brain resulting in minor strokes. The paper concludes that patients suffering from dementia become in many ways like children losing control over their mind and become strongly dependant on others to function normally; hence, the people who care for these patients must do so with love, understanding and patience.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Dementia
Clinical Presentation
Cognitive Changes
Psychiatric Symptoms
Personality Changes
Problem Behaviors
Changes in Day-to-Day Functioning
Charlie
The Work Environment
Management and Treatment
Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior
Conclusion

From the Paper
"With staff that worked with Charlie, I will step into the world of Charlie who is suffering from dementia for the past 6 years; he is 54 years old and at first glance would pass of as an extinguished old gentleman, greying at the temples having an air of aristocracy about him. When
Charlie first started to exhibit symptoms of dementia, his family put it down to mood swings and thought he was going through a period of depression and tried to help him. At first there were upset over his forgetfulness but soon realised that something was happening to Charlie which he had no ability to control and soon they found out that he
was suffering from dementia."

Tags:abnormal, alzheimer, cognitive, inappropriate, treatment