Cognitive Impairment: Dementia, Mental Illness & Aging
Evaluation
Objective
To establish if the deficit/disorder of the person resulted from a pathological deterioration (temporary or permanent), normal aging, or procedure, or if there is an associated disorder. It is necessary to take into account the mental and emotional state.
Cognitive Features in Older Adults
They have perceptual limitations, gradual memory loss, and difficulty recalling recent events. They conserve memory of the past.
Cognitive Features in Persons with Mental Disabilities
Alterations in attention and concentration are common. They may have difficulty with dispersed processes, except for highly selective attention. They may not be empathetic, have difficulty in conversations, and possess a poor lexicon.
Cognitive Functions in Persons with Mental Illness
Impairment of perception and altered thought affect the capacity for thinking. The people around them may live with fear regarding the poverty they present. Affective and emotional aspects are shown as apathetic, monotonous, and introverted, which isolates them from society.
Cognitive Functions in Persons with Dementia
Dementia is characterized by the progressive loss of cognitive functions. Memory loss and difficulty with attention appear. There are difficulties with spatial and temporal orientation. Lack of memory affects language. The lack of social interaction isolates them. In the initial stages, they are still conscious, which affects their state of mind. They may become irritable and apathetic. Depression and psychotic episodes are frequent.
Cognitive Interventions
Programs and techniques in intervention are developed for the training of persons with dementia. These programs are designed to try to maintain and stimulate the capacities that the person conserves for the improvement of their functional capacity.
Reality Orientation Therapy
What is Reality Orientation Therapy?
Strategies related to broad spatial and temporal orientation. Programs are designed for persons with dementia. This increases the person’s control and feeling of self-esteem.
Exercises in Therapy
- Adaptation of the atmosphere.
- Modification of stimuli to be discriminative.
- Provision of guidelines.
- Resources: Calendars, symbols, signs on the doors, lines on the floor.
Applications of Therapy
- Reality orientation in 24 hours: Guidance on reality sessions for one hour daily, in small groups, in the same place, and at the same time to establish a routine.
- Memory: Working on aspects of psychomotor skills and language.
Training of Memory
What are Memory Techniques?
Techniques designed to understand the procedures for the functioning of memory. There are two types of strategies:
- Stimulation of cognitive processes: Related to attention and memory (ask the user).
- Specific learning strategies: Reminiscence technique, which consists of making a person talk and think about their own life.
Psychomotor Skills
A set of tools designed to stimulate the body schema in different parts through action and movement.
- Fine motor skills: Precise movements made with the hand and fingers.
- Gross motor skills: Control of one’s own body and manipulation of larger objects.
Music Therapy
Music activities, applied in a structured way, aim to improve the cognitive state and encourage users.