A client in the client's 50s has contacted the care provider because of concerns for the client's spouse, who has suddenly begun
behaving uncharacteristically in recent days. Most recently, the spouse became lost while driving to the spouse's home of 30 years and temporarily forgot the name of the spouse's child. Diagnostic testing has ruled out delirium and the spouse had been previously healthy. What is the most likely cause of the spouse's cognitive changes?
Explanation: Vascular dementia also known as multi-infarct dementia is a type of dementia that causes memory loss in adults especially those with a higher risk of stroke due to obesity or diabetes.
This condition causes cognitive difficulty with reasoning and judgment. In later stages, memory is affected.
Explanation: Dementia is a group of symptoms affecting or related to memory loss. This is caused by damage to the nerve cells in the brain. It is often associated with elderly people from the age of 65. But dementia can also occur in young adults in onset from their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
The clients spouse is experiencing memory loss which is cognitve to dementia. The client's spouse is suddenly forgetting things and people. These are symptoms of dementia.
However loss of memory or forgetfulness does not necessarily point to dementia. It is also a sign of aging. Seeing a doctor will ascertain exactly the causes of the client's spouse memory loss. The doctor can refer the client's spouse to a neurologist who will examine the mental and physical health of spouse to determine if it's dementia or just aging.
