Caring for Clients With Dementia Essay

Comparing Dementia to Physical Illnesses

Dementia is an umbrella term for illnesses that cause a decline in an individual’s cognitive level. These include Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common, followed by vascular dementia and dementia, with Lewy bodies as the least common of the three. The disease commonly affects individuals older than 65 years. These individuals often suffer from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, which increase the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Unlike physical illnesses, the symptoms of dementia are cognitive. They include memory loss, communication difficulties, impaired reasoning, and an inability to handle complex tasks.

It is vital to note that dementia varies significantly from physical illnesses such as diabetes. For instance, its symptoms are cognitive, unlike the hypoglycemia, thirst, and frequent urination seen in diabetes. In addition, patients experience psychological changes which are seldom seen in diabetes. Dementia symptoms are difficult to spot compared to diabetes, where patients present with elevated blood glucose levels. Dementia is also difficult to diagnose early owing to the cognitive nature of symptoms and their slow progression. Finally, unlike diabetes, dementia patients face social stigma owing to the absence of visible physical symptoms.

The management of dementia differs significantly from the treatment of diabetes. While dementia interventions focus primarily on cognitive approaches, diabetes management is geared towards medicines, lifestyle changes, and dietary restrictions. It is vital to note that despite the aforementioned differences, there are some similarities in the management of both diseases. For instance, both require the cooperation of multidisciplinary teams to facilitate good patient outcomes. In addition, preventive measures are effective in reducing the incidence and slowing progress in both diseases. Finally, health practitioners must be culturally competent to effectively meet the needs of dementia and diabetes patients.

Historical and Socioeconomic Aspects

Dementia was long thought to be an incurable illness that could not be prevented. However, recent developments in the field indicate that while its causes are largely incurable, prevention and management are possible. The global elderly population is projected to increase, and it is believed that the number of people diagnosed with dementia will increase to 131 million globally by 2050. It is vital to note that dementia affects individuals and their families. The disease’s annual cost is estimated at 818 billion dollars, with approximately 85% of the cost linked to social and family care rather than medical interventions.

Political, Educational and Topographical Aspects

Home-based care is the preferred therapeutic option for a majority of dementia patients. This is because patients often experience a better quality of life. Political interventions aimed at increasing the availability of support services for people with dementia as well as their carers are crucial. This is because informal carers face social and economic challenges. Government policies should increase access to care as well as develop infrastructure to support affected families. Education is a critical component in addressing dementia because an informed community can identify warning signs and get their loved ones the care they need. Dementia education in schools encourages healthy practices among children, which helps reduce disease prevalence.

Interdisciplinary Interventions

Interdisciplinary teams are vital in the provision of holistic care to dementia patients. Physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists play a critical role in disease management. Physicians play critical roles in the diagnosis of the disease. They prescribe radiographic and molecular tests that facilitate the identification of the illness. In addition, they prescribe treatments such as cognitive stimulation therapy, cognitive training, exercise, and medications. Nurses offer patients the emotional and physical support they need to recover. In addition, they ensure that patients adhere to the treatment prescribed by the primary physician. Finally, physiotherapists aid patients during exercise routines as prescribed by the attending doctor.

Nurses play a critical role in the management of patients with dementia. Their roles complement those of trained professionals such as occupational therapists in the delivery of care. Occupational therapists and trained nurses conduct cognitive stimulation therapy sessions which are designed to stimulate patients mentally. It is vital to note that group sessions are effective because patients get to socialize and share experiences. The sessions focus on specific themes such as finances, current affairs, scenes, and word games. Trained nurses also conduct cognitive rehabilitation sessions aimed at improving the patients’ everyday function by helping them set daily goals and work towards achieving them.

Impact of Value Systems on Dementia Management

Value systems determine the effectiveness with which care is delivered to patients. They embody specific ethical principles such as the observance of human dignity, which means that nurses must respect patients as human beings regardless of differences in temperament or personalities. In addition, social justice refers to the provision of fair and unbiased treatment while integrity ensures that caregivers are honest with their patients. It is vital to note that altruistic healthcare professionals ensure that the patient’s wellbeing is prioritized. It is crucial to practice autonomy and make independent decisions that prioritize the patient’s wellbeing.

Preventive and Acute Care

Dementia prevention focuses on three critical aspects of an individual’s cognitive health. Increasing the brain’s cognitive reserve through the preservation of hearing, increased education, and cognitive training is critical. It is vital to reduce oxidative, vascular, and neurotoxic brain damage. This can be accomplished by weight loss, reduced smoking, and the treatment of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. Finally, it is essential to reduce brain inflammation through exercise and a Mediterranean diet. The acute care for dementia patients must involve a comprehensive risk assessment to allow affected individuals to live at home for as long as possible. Cholinesterase inhibitors partly restore acetylcholine deficits which help alleviate symptoms.

Barriers to Healthcare and the Role of Pain and the Sick Role

There are several barriers to healthcare with regard to dementia. The first is the inadequacy of coordinators who help individuals with dementia to navigate complex social and healthcare systems. It is vital to note that the lack of information on available services impedes access to care. In addition, poor inter-professional networking, communication, and cooperation create referral challenges that delay the delivery of essential services to dementia patients. Finally, limited resources increase the complexity of offering specialized services to patients in need. It should be noted that pain in dementia is often undertreated given the communication difficulties patients experience. It is essential to note that with regard to sick roles, dementia patients are exempted from engaging in social tasks on account of their cognitive challenges.

Cultural Practices and Dementia

Culture is important because it informs people’s sense of self and determines how they understand or feel about other individuals in their environment. Research indicates that providing culturally sensitive care improves patient outcomes in addition to reducing the incidence of caregiver burnout. Healthcare providers must be culturally competent to guarantee client satisfaction. Most patients prefer interventions in which relatives can be included owing to the cultural importance of family. Finally, it is critical to consider the roles played by interpreters, especially where cultural nuances must be correctly addressed in the context of dementia management.

Learning Styles, Autonomy and Education

It should be noted that cultural influences on factors such as learning styles, autonomy, and educational preparation impact dementia management. Learning among the elderly is challenging in view of the fact that most believe they have nothing new to learn. In the context of dementia, maintaining a constant daily routine is the most effective learning to implement. Autonomy is critical because it empowers patients to make informed decisions during care. However, the desire for autonomy in the context of cognitive challenges may negatively impact dementia management. It is vital to note that highly educated individuals are often willing to participate in prescribed interventions. Education preparation may be challenging in dementia, especially in scenarios where affected individuals have low levels of education.

References

Al-Banna, D. A. (2017). Core professional and personal values of nurses about nursing in erbil city hospitals: A profession, not just career. Nursing & Care Open Access Journal, 2(6), 1–6. Web.

Broda, A., Bieber, A., Meyer, G., Hopper, L., Joyce, R., Irving, K., Zanetti, O., Portolani, E., Kerpershoek, L., Verhey, F., Vugt, M. De, Wolfs, C., Eriksen, S., Røsvik, J., Marques, M. J., Gonçalves-Pereira, M., Sjölund, B. M., Woods, B., Jelley, H., … Stephan, A. (2017). Perspectives of policy and political decision makers on access to formal dementia care: Expert interviews in eight European countries. BMC Health Services Research, 17(1), 1–14. Web.

Livingston, G., Sommerlad, A., Orgeta, V., Costafreda, S. G., Huntley, J., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., Burns, A., Cohen-Mansfield, J., Cooper, C., Fox, N., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Larson, E. B., Ritchie, K., Rockwood, K., Sampson, E. L., … Mukadam, N. (2017). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care. The Lancet, 390(10113), 2673–2734. Web.

Pachana, N. A., & Gallagher-Thompson, D. (2018). The importance of attention to cultural factors in the approach to dementia care services for older persons. Clinical Gerontologist, 41(3), 181–183. Web.