Cognitive Impairments and Disorders Overview

Key Cognitive Impairments and Disorders

• Hallucinations: Experiencing sights or sounds that aren't real.
• Delusions: False beliefs despite evidence.
• Cognitive Impairment: Reduced memory, attention, and problem-solving.
• Sundowning: Increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon/evening.
• Reality Orientation: Methods to help re-orient a person to time, place, and identity.
• Validation Therapy: Accepting and understanding a confused person's feelings and reality.

Disorientation

• Definition: Loss of awareness about time, place, or identity.
• Causes: Illness, dehydration, medication, or stress.
• Severity: Can be temporary or indicate underlying conditions like dementia or infection.

Delirium

• Definition: A sudden, severe, temporary, and reversible state of confusion.
• Causes: Infections (like UTI, pneumonia), dehydration, medication side effects, surgery, or hospitalization.
• Symptoms: Sudden confusion, agitation, hallucinations, sleep disruption, and trouble focusing.
• Treatment: Fixing the underlying cause (infection, electrolyte imbalance, medication adjustment).

Dementia

• Definition: A progressive, irreversible decline in memory, reasoning, and daily activities.
• Causes: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
• Symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, personality changes, difficulty communicating and reasoning.
• Stages:
  • Mild: Forgetfulness, trouble finding words.
  • Moderate: Increased memory loss, needing help with tasks.
  • Severe: Inability to recognize loved ones, loss of physical function.
• Treatment & Management:
  • No cure: Medications (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors) might slow progression.
  • Supportive care: Regular routines, safety measures, and caregiver support.