Understanding Dementia by Josey Beavers

What is Dementia?

joseybeavers24 — 2024-03-19 18:39:22 UTC

Dementia refers to severe cognitive loss to the point where a patient is no longer able to function independently.

People can develop a combination of different types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's and vascular dementia (Small and Vorgan).

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/man-holding-chin-dYNar7pk9_Y

Characteristics

joseybeavers24 — 2024-03-19 18:39:32 UTC

Dementia develops gradually throughout a person’s lifespan, but people are more susceptible to developing dementia once they reach the age of 65 (Small and Vorgan).

What is Happening Physiologically?

joseybeavers24 — 2024-03-19 18:40:42 UTC

On a physiological scale, dementia means the brain is receiving less oxygen and nutrient flow, accumulating more amyloid plaques and tau tangles (abnormal protein deposits), neurotransmitters are malfunctioning, and there is increased inflammation in the brain (Small and Vorgan).

Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a_djndVI4U

Glossary

joseybeavers24 — 2024-03-19 18:41:22 UTC

Created by: Josey Beavers

Information Source: Small and Vorgan

Causes

joseybeavers24 — 2024-03-19 18:43:48 UTC

Dementia, as with most other disorders or diseases of the brain, is still very mysterious and under researched.

There are hundreds of known causes, only some of which are treatable (Small and Vorgan).

Medical Illness: pneumonia, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, thyroid abnormalities, anemia, cancer, liver disease, lung disease, kidney failure, infections, metabolic disturbances, vitamin B12/folate deficiencies, autoimmune disease
Medications: sedatives, antidepressants, over-the-counter sleep meds, antihistamines, steroids, pain meds
Neurodegenerative disorders: Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, vascular disease, Down syndrome
Psychiatric disorders: depression, anxiety
Other conditions: head injury, toxic exposure
11 risk factors: age, education, history of diabetes, history of depression, history of stroke, parental history of dementia, levels of deprivation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, living alone, and being male (Gregory).
Gene that is risk factor for dementia= APOE gene (Gregory).

Symptoms

joseybeavers24 — 2024-03-19 18:48:03 UTC

Memory Loss
- Forgetting names + faces
- Forgetting where you placed items
- Failing to remember plans
- Forgetting word on tip of tongue
Reasoning difficulties
Disorientation
Language difficulties
- Word finding
Mood changes
Decreased interest/initiative
Trouble completing tasks

Source: Small and Vorgan

Psychological Responses Among Patients

joseybeavers24 — 2024-03-19 18:48:42 UTC

Fear
Denial
Anger
Self-pity
Guilt
Depression

Source: Small and Vorgan

Dementia vs. Typical Brain Aging

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-01 23:48:14 UTC

Dementia is not a “natural” step in how the brain ages. It is an abnormal occurrence, but an incredibly common one. In a patient who develops dementia, the progression usually occurs as follows: the brain ages, then it reaches mild cognitive impairment (MCI), then dementia forms (Small and Vorgan).

Image Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alzheimers-brain-vs-normal-brain

If dementia care was a country...

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-01 23:50:44 UTC

it would be the 14th largest economy in the world ("Dementia Statistics").

Global cost of dementia

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-01 23:51:39 UTC

2015: estimated global cost of dementia= $818 billion

2023: estimated global cost of dementia= $1.3 trillion

2030: projected global cost of dementia= $2.8 trillion.

Information and Image Source: "Dementia Statistics"

Cost of Dementia Care

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-01 23:57:49 UTC

Informal Care:

Informal care, such as unpaid care from the family, makes up nearly 40% of global dementia costs. Informal care costs are greater in African regions, but lower in North America, Western Europe, and some of South America ("Dementia Statistics").

Social Care:

Social care refers to care provided by professionals or residential communities. These costs account for about 40% of global dementia costs. These costs are higher in North America, Western Europe, and some of South America, but are lower in Africa ("Dementia Statistics").

Medical Care:

The direct costs of medical care for treating dementia account for around 20% of global dementia costs ("Dementia Statistics").

Image Source: Josey Beavers

By the numbers...

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-02 00:11:35 UTC

Someone develops dementia every 3.2 seconds, and there are 10 million new dementia cases globally per year ("Dementia Statistics").

Projected Number of Cases

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-02 00:12:06 UTC

2020= over 55 million cases worldwide

2030= projected 78 million cases worldwide

2050= projected 139-153 million cases worldwide

Source: "Dementia Statistics"

Dementia is the 7th leading cause of death in the world.

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-02 00:13:12 UTC

Source: "The Lancet"

U.S. Projections

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-02 00:13:47 UTC

In the U.S., more than 5 million people have Alzheimer's disease. This number is expected to triple by 2050 (Small and Vorgan).

Countries with the highest percentage change in total number of dementia cases 2019–50

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-02 00:14:21 UTC

Qatar (1926%)
United Arab Emirates (1795%)
Bahrain (1084%)
Oman (943%)
Saudi Arabia (898%)
Kuwait (850%)
Iraq (559%)
Maldives (554%)
Jordan (522%)
Equatorial Guinea (498%)

Source: "The Lancet"

Image Source: Josey Beavers

Countries with the lowest percentage change in total number of dementia cases 2019–50

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-02 00:14:38 UTC

Japan (27%)
Bulgaria (37%)
Serbia (38%)
Lithuania (44%)
Greece (45%)
Latvia (47%)
Croatia (55%)
Ukraine (55%)
Italy (56%)
Finland (58%)

Source: "The Lancet"

Image Source: Josey Beavers

Dementia around the Globe

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-08 13:42:00 UTC

Japan Summary

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-08 14:13:36 UTC

Japanese society is characterized by an aging population and a low birth rate. Therefore, it is imperative that the country prioritizes dementia care in order to support its large elderly population. Thus far, Japan has passed legislation and adopted a community-centric approach to dementia. Japan's attitude toward dementia is heavily influenced by cultural norms. Generally, elderly people are respected and well cared for in Japanese society. This is reflected in how entire neighborhoods are cooperating to support people with dementia.

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/people-standing-beside-building-_p8URGduyEg

Brain-Boosting Habits

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-08 14:41:30 UTC

Works Cited

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-09 19:54:38 UTC

Pamphlet

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-09 19:55:26 UTC

United Kingdom Summary

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-09 20:02:47 UTC

With a rapid increase of dementia occurring throughout the United Kingdom, officials are beginning to recognize the importance of addressing this condition. It seems as though no actionable steps have been made, but there big-picture methods to improve UK education and healthcare systems have been suggested. Such goals include making access to diagnosis more accessible, continuing to take care of patients, and funding research and education initiatives.

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/@chrislawton

India Summary

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-09 20:02:53 UTC

As the most populous country in the world, India must adapt its healthcare systems to accommodate its growing elderly population. Many people in India cannot access healthcare, as it is often expensive, operated by private sectors, or unavailable, and this limits the amount of dementia diagnoses and treatments. Therefore, India must adapt its dementia-care systems to be community driven. In addition to funding and professional training, this seismic shift in the approach to dementia care in India will require an understanding of the diverse cultural attitudes of the country.

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/@naveedahmed

Quote from Professor Jinkook Lee

joseybeavers24 — 2024-04-25 16:01:34 UTC

"'In the United States, one of the most important expenditures for older adults is health care,' she [Economics professor Jinkook Lee] explained. The economic effects of individual wellbeing are not limited to financial outlays, rather health 'influences all dimensions of people lives,' including work, productivity, retirement and family life, especially when caregiving needs arise" (Scutti).