Analysis of Dementia in the United Kingdom - Essay Example

The term ‘Dementia’ is used to explain a disorder in which there is a progressive decline in reasoning, memory, ability to carry out daily activities, and communication skills, along with which develop psychological symptoms such as aggression, depression, wandering, and psychosis (Banerjee, 2012). In 2001, the Department of Health estimated that of the total population of the UK, about 5% of people aged over 65 years suffered from dementia. The latest Dementia Report from Alzheimer’s Society states that at present 800,000 people suffer from dementia in the UK, of which 17,000 are young people (2012a). Looking at these alarming statistics, it can be noted that incidences of dementia will only continue to grow. Attention needs to be paid to the ways in which it can become an item of national priority with comprehensible plans being laid out for public spending and service development.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is most commonly found in old people, it is said that 1 in 5 people over 80 have some form of dementia while in those over the age of 65, only 1 in 20 seem to be affected (PSSRU, 2007). However, this is not to say that it cannot occur in young people, in the UK, a growing number of younger populations are showing early signs of dementia. While no, one, clear factor has been identified as a cause of dementia, it is said that genetic background, lifestyle, age, and medical history could lead to the initiation of dementia.

The way each individual experiences dementia depends a lot on their physical upkeep, emotional quotient, and family support. However, being a progressive disorder, its symptoms eventually become more rigorous as time passes. 

There are many varieties of dementia and they are classified depending on the different ways in which the infections affect the brain. In this paper we discuss the four major types of dementia that affect the UK population:

1. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, here the changes in the chemistry and structure of the brain, cause brain cells to die (Alzheimer's Society, 2012b).
2. Vascular dementia is always found in persons who have suffered a stroke (it could be a single stroke or a series of small strokes). This dementia takes form when the oxygen supply to the brain fails following a stroke and brain cells die (Alzheimer's Society, 2012b).
3. Dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by tiny spherical protein lumps that develop inside nerve cells in the brain, leading to the deterioration of brain tissue (Alzheimer's Society, 2012b).
4. Fronto-temporal dementia, here, damage to the brain is primarily focused on the front part affecting, behavior and personality of patients (Alzheimer's Society, 2012b).