What is dementia?

2021 ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Budson ◽  
Maureen K. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Normal Pressure ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Daily Function

Dementia is the term used to describe progressive impairment of thinking and memory that interferes with daily function. Dementia is not a specific disorder; rather, it is a condition with many causes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Other common causes of dementia include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, primary progressive aphasia which comes in the logopenic, semantic, and nonfluent/agrammatic variants, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Primary care providers are able to diagnose most straightforward cases of dementia, whereas specialists such as neuropsychologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and geriatricians may be needed when the diagnosis is not straightforward.

What is dementia?

2021 ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Budson ◽  
Maureen K. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Normal Pressure ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Daily Function

Dementia is the term used to describe progressive impairment of thinking and memory that interferes with daily function. Dementia is not a specific disorder; rather, it is a condition with many causes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Other common causes of dementia include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, primary progressive aphasia which comes in the logopenic, semantic, and nonfluent/agrammatic variants, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Primary care providers are able to diagnose most straightforward cases of dementia, whereas specialists such as neuropsychologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and geriatricians may be needed when the diagnosis is not straightforward.

Which other disorders cause dementia?

2021 ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Budson ◽  
Maureen K. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus ◽  
Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Normal Pressure ◽  
Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Severe Stage ◽  
Language Behavior ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, other brain disorders of aging that affect thinking and memory include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease dementia, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia that has logpenic, semantic, and non-fluent agrammatic variants, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Each produces characteristic changes in thinking, memory, language, behavior, and/or movement that allow you and the doctor to know when to consider them as possible causes of your loved one’s dementia. Note that the dementia of every individual is unique, so the symptoms and signs that they will manifest are all different. However, when dementias reach the moderate to severe stage, most dementias looks similar, despite having different causes.

Which other disorders cause dementia?

2021 ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Budson ◽  
Maureen K. O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus ◽  
Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Normal Pressure ◽  
Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Severe Stage ◽  
Language Behavior ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, other brain disorders of aging that affect thinking and memory include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease dementia, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia that has logpenic, semantic, and non-fluent agrammatic variants, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Each produces characteristic changes in thinking, memory, language, behavior, and/or movement that allow you and the doctor to know when to consider them as possible causes of your loved one’s dementia. Note that the dementia of every individual is unique, so the symptoms and signs that they will manifest are all different. However, when dementias reach the moderate to severe stage, most dementias looks similar, despite having different causes.

The Perspective of Older Men With Depression on Suicide and Its Prevention in Primary Care

Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Vannoy ◽  
Mijung Park ◽  
Meredith R. Maroney ◽  
Jürgen Unützer ◽  
Ester Carolina Apesoa-Varano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Depression Treatment ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Self Image ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Background: Suicide rates in older men are higher than in the general population, yet their utilization of mental health services is lower. Aims: This study aimed to describe: (a) what primary care providers (PCPs) can do to prevent late-life suicide, and (b) older men's attitudes toward discussing suicide with a PCP. Method: Thematic analysis of interviews focused on depression and suicide with 77 depressed, low-socioeconomic status, older men of Mexican origin, or US-born non-Hispanic whites recruited from primary care. Results: Several themes inhibiting suicide emerged: it is a problematic solution, due to religious prohibition, conflicts with self-image, the impact on others; and, lack of means/capacity. Three approaches to preventing suicide emerged: talking with them about depression, talking about the impact of their suicide on others, and encouraging them to be active. The vast majority, 98%, were open to such conversations. An unexpected theme spontaneously arose: "What prevents men from acting on suicidal thoughts?" Conclusion: Suicide is rarely discussed in primary care encounters in the context of depression treatment. Our study suggests that older men are likely to be open to discussing suicide with their PCP. We have identified several pragmatic approaches to assist clinicians in reducing older men's distress and preventing suicide.

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