Nursing Management of Dementia

Sreeja V, RN, RPN*, Jyoti Beck, RN, RPN**

* staff Nurse, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, India

** Dep. Nur. Superintendent. Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, India

	Introduction
	Prevalence & Epidemiology
	Etiology
	Signs & Symptoms
	Types of dementia
	Assessment & Management
	Nursing management
	Nursing care plan
	Problems of the carer
	Conclusion
	Bibliography

XI    CONCLUSION  

Dementia is irreversible psychiatric disorder characterized by the global impairment of higher cortical function including, memory, the capacity to solve the problems of day to day living, the performance of learned percept motor skills, the correct use of social skill and control of emotional reactions, in the absence of clouding of consciousness. The condition is often irreversible and progressive. 

A necessary pre-requisite for the development of dementia is a relatively wide spread cerebral dysfunction or damage or both. Psychological and psychosocial factors influence to a limited extent, the degree of severity of dementia. The diagnosis of dementia rests on clinical grounds and identification of the underlying disease process. The clinical diagnosis of dementia is arrived at by the information obtained from a detailed longitudinal history and a mental status examination, supplemented by a thorough physical examination, once the diagnosis of dementia is established the choice of investigation should be done. Basic screening test is necessary for proper diagnosis. 

After diagnosis psychosocial management, institutionalization, treatment of concurrent psychiatric disorder and various medical interventions purposed to improve cognitive functions assume importance. Nursing care is also ever important for demented patient according to its cause, onset of illness and severity. The main aim of nursing care is to make the patients life easier and pleasant.  It also provides safe environment for the patient. Fulfill his basic needs and emotional needs. Demented patients can be treated in community mental health centres. The team members visit the home and teach patient and family members and educational, recreational and social activities are planned and provided. Demented patient can also be placed in dementia centres and geriatric nursing homes. In India also emphasis is being given good care to dementia patients. There are provisions to treat these cases in the Dementia centres in India, Example Kerala, Madras, Vellor, and Bangalore