Diagnosis And Treatment Of Old Age Dementias

Dementia: From Diagnosis to Management - A Functional Approach is a comprehensive description of a functional and behavioral approach to assessing and treating persons with dementia. While very practical, the information is embedded in a scientific context of the causes, neuropsychological manifestations, and complications of dementia. The management of the impairments of dementia is centered on its functional consequences and impact on daily living. The chapters describe behavioral interventions and environmental strategies that aim to improve daily activities and quality of life from a proactive communication and memory basis. Specific suggestions are provided to enhance family involvement and staff relationships, interdisciplinary cooperation, reimbursement, and documentation across various home and institutional settings. The book is written in a straightforward style and is evenhanded in its critical analyses of the evidence available to inform practice. The extensive clinical backgrounds of the authors allow them to use ‘real world’ case studies to illustrate common challenges of persons with dementia and potential solutions for caregivers. Further resources and clinical materials are included in comprehensive appendices. The volume provides essential reading for clinicians and administrators who seek to improve the lives of people with dementia and those who care for them. It is also an invaluable reference for beginning students in adult language disorders and gerontology.

Senile dementia is one of the major health problems confronting mankind in this century. To some extent the problem has, of course, always existed. The condition was sufficiently troubling to classical philosophers and jurists to have apparently provoked comments by Solon in approximately 500 B. C. and Plato in the fourth century B. C. (Plutarch 1967 translation; Plato 1921 translation). Medical recognition can be traced at least as far back as the second century A. D. (Adams 1861). However, several factors have converged in this century to extend the absolute dimensions of the problem of senile dementia and to increase societal, medical, and scientific recogni tion of the magnitude of the condition. Perhaps the most important factor relating to the present importance of senile dementia is demographic. Although the human population has been increasing since the mid-eighteenth century, it has only been since the advent of the twentieth century that a decrease in mortality has been noted for those over the age of 45 (McKeown 1976). Consequently, the absolute number of aged persons and the proportion of increasingly aged persons in the populations of the world's industrial nations have been steadily increasing. For example, in the United States, 4% ofthe population was over the age of 65 in 1900. In the 1970 census, this proportion had grown to 10%.

Confusion. Fear. Isolation. This is the human experience of dementing illness, and it is at the heart of this practical, informative volume by a broad range of clinically grounded experts. This book is designed to meet the needs of clinicians dealing with persons with dementing illness and to serve as an introduction to the pathophysiology of dementing illness and a resource for clinical investigators. The giant strides in dementia research since the publication of the first edition in 1991 have generated optimism that we will soon be able to delay onset and even prevent these diseases that devastate both patients and caregivers. This third edition has been revised, updated, and expanded to cover changes in the classification, management and treatment of dementing illnesses and to give a more extensive account of basic and clinical research findings. At the same time, this remarkable volume indicates the interaction of the patient's personality, the caregiver, and the environment with the pathophysiology of dementing illnesses that creates the variety of symptoms accompanying these illnesses and impacting their treatment. Like the second edition, this third edition has three sections, flowing from diagnosis through management/treatment to research. New to this edition are A world-class presentation on the molecular and genetic basis of Alzheimer's disease A beautifully illustrated chapter on contemporary neuroimaging Discussions of mild cognitive impairment, the frontotemporal dementias, and the dementias associated with Lewy bodies This third edition is exceptionally valuable for addressing the day-to-day challenges of dealing effectively and humanely with persons with dementing illness. Case examples are used in the chapters on psychological/behavioral and drug management to indicate practical approaches to maintaining patients at their optimal level of function. Unlike similar texts, this volume also reviews legal and ethical issues in the care of persons with dementing illness and shows how clinicians and caregivers how to mobilize community resources. Extensive reference lists round out each chapter. The book concludes with 11 assessment guides and rating scales and an index. Now more than ever, there is hope that advances in understanding dementing illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease will lead to their effective treatment, and ultimately to their prevention. Until then, clinicians, families, and society will continue to be faced with the challenges posed by these illnesses -- making this book a "must read" for physicians and other health care professionals, whether in training, in practice, or engaged in clinical research.

Dementia is a challenge facing health and social care around the world. Due to factors such as growing elderly populations, improved recognition, and diagnosis, the number of people with the illness is set to double over the next two decades. As a result, improving the quality of life for dementia patients and carers is an international priority. Dementia Care: International Perspectives is a comprehensive resource offering a global view of the clinical management and resources offered to carers and patients. Featuring 47 country profiles across 5 continents, this resource offers invaluable insights into dementia care across borders and different cultures. Each country profile features a helpful summary of key points, and contains an up-to-date, concise discussion on the clinical management of dementia within the country. This unique compendium has been written in collaboration with the International Dementia Alliance (IDEAL) to develop understandings of clinical practice and services available around the world, hoping to unify ideas and ultimately improve quality of care. Written and edited by the world's leading experts, Dementia Care: International Perspectives is a useful tool for researchers, clinicians, policy makers, academics, and international commentators wishing to expand their knowledge of the subject.

Addresses the psychology and treatment of diseases that affect the memory of an aging population The aging population is growing, with a significant portion of the population over the age of 65. Epidemiological research suggests that rates of age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease will increase. Older individuals and their families face a host of problems related to the diagnosis, treatment, and psychological management of these conditions. There is a growing demand for healthcare personnel and professionals in the human and social services who have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of this special population. Dementia and Memory: Introduction for Professionals in Health and Human Services aims to provide an introduction to dementia and memory disorders for professionals in public health, nursing, social work, gerontology, psychology, and beyond. This book offers a scientifically rigorous approach with an approachable writing style, making it an ideal resource for all helping professions. All chapters take a multi-disciplinary approach to instruction, and all diseases are presented with applicable historical background. For each condition covered, from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to depression and frailty, you’ll find a description of the condition, epidemiological data, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, clinical presentation, treatment strategies, and a case vignette. You’ll also learn about older adults’ daily needs, behavioral interventions, caregiver stress, and more. Gain background knowledge of age-related conditions including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy Body dementia, multiple sclerosis, and more Learn about the neuroanatomy of the aging brain and how its manifestations lead to unique caregiving issues and challenges Discover pharmacological, management, and intervention techniques that will help you better care for aging adults Combat caregiver stress and compassion fatigue when dealing with difficult memory disorders and dementia Anyone who works with older adults in community, clinical, or research settings will benefit from this in-depth information on conditions of aging and dementia.

New edition, completely rewritten, with new chapters on endovascular surgery and mitochrondrial and ion channel disorders.

Organised services for those with memory disorders are growing. This growth is stimulated by an increase in the number of people with memory problems and by an increased appreciation of the complexity of the needs of such patients. Further growth is likely, especially now that we appear to have crossed the threshold of effective treatment for many patients with dementia. With these advances has come the recognition of the necessity for an interdisciplinary approach to management. Diagnosis and Management of Dementia: A Manual for Memory Disorders Teams is an edited volume covering all aspects of the operation of a memory disorders team. It is aimed at all those working in the dementia or memory disorders team, whether in a clinic or a community setting. The book is divided into three sections. Section one takes the reader through the practical details of setting up and organising a clinic, from timetabling, through managing information, to the assessments needed and the opportunities such a service provides. Section two deals with the diagnostic process; and section three addresses management issues, from carer support, pharmacological and physiological interventions, through managing common problems, to the role of the primary care physician. An Appendix contains the results of a survey to the memory disorder services. This survey provides the reader with examples of other services and demonstrates the wide variation in how these services operate. The Manual is unique in that it combines up to date thinking on diagnosis and management with practical and helpful ideas on how to run a dementia or memory disorders service.