Dementia
Dementia is an illness where the sufferer gets increasingly forgetful or starts to behave in an uncharacteristic way. It is not a single illness, but different illnesses with a set of symptoms caused by damage to the brain. It usually occurs in people older than 65 years. With early intervention, the development of dementia can sometimes be reduced, providing a greater quality of life for the individual and those involved.
Facts About Dementia
Globally
0.69% of people worldwide suffer from dementia.
UK
Dementia affects 1.32% of people in the UK.
Additional
834,474 people in the UK are affected by dementia.
Symptoms
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty completing simple tasks
- Struggling to follow a conversation or finding the right word
- Confusion about time and place
- Mood changes
Living with dementia can cause problems with thinking or reasoning which makes following conversations difficult. This often leads people to become frustrated, confused and upset even when in a familiar environment such as the home.
Treatments
Although there is no specific cure for dementia, there are treatments that can sometimes slow down the progression of the illness. Ways that we can support with a diagnosis of dementia include:
- Anti-dementia drugs, if deemed suitable.
- Medication to reduce agitation
- Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) – TMS therapy
- Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
- Phototherapy
- Tailored Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Supportive Couselling
- Cognitive stimulation
- Access to support groups for family and carers
- Financial and Legal advice
- Employment and Occupational Advice & Support
- Accommodation Advice & Recommendations
Oaktree Assessment Tool
https://www.oaktreeconnect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iphoneImg.webpOur Oaktree assessment tool (OAT) can help you decide whether to seek diagnosis and medical treatment from a Psychiatrist online, to seek talking therapy, or if self-help may suffice. It is not a diagnostic test.
Contact Us
To book an online mental health assessment appointment with Private Psychiatrists, Private Psychologists and Private TherapistsWe aim to respond within one working day