Ageing Case - With the increase in the ageing population, diagnosing dementia

Ageing case

With the increase in the ageing population, diagnosing dementia in an accurate and timely manner is a growing issue for patients, families and health services. Many different factors can influence cognition and it is important to consider whether these account for the extent of cognitive deficits observed in a person, or whether the presenting profile is indicative of an ongoing neurodegenerative process. A neuropsychological assessment can help to diagnose dementia early and may also help to inform the need for different medical, lifestyle and psychosocial interventions, as well as the need for additional services and rehabilitation strategies.

With this information in mind, write an essay outlining how a neuropsychologist would conduct an assessment on Mrs Marjorie Mellor (details below) to determine whether she has a neurodegenerative disease. Include information pertaining to her profile of cognitive deficits, what tests (and questionnaires) should be used and factors that could be impacting upon her deficits. Be sure to include relevant investigations that you would need to support your conclusions. Finally, what kind of recommendations could be suggested to optimise her cognition, wellbeing and/or functioning?

Marjorie Mellor is a 69-year-old retired teacher who lives alone. Two years ago, her husband passed away and she has been quite socially isolated since. She has a number of medical conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recently her daughter reported that she was concerned about her mother. She seems to be forgetful and does not want to engage in family activities such as seeing her grandchildren. She complains of trouble sleeping. Marjorie’s GP referred her for a neuropsychological assessment to ascertain factors contributing to her cognition and wellbeing and to determine if a diagnosis of dementia is possible.

 

Follow the criteria below vvvv

2000 word count

Criteria

250 word

Concisely outlines the known relevant background information to the case, including general contextual information from the scientific literature on the main topic.

*Tip: it is easy to outline the ‘known relevant background information’, so to do well here you need to put a bit more thought into setting the case discussion into the broad scholarly context, given the general state of scientific debate on psychosis and dementia.

250 word

Identifies any other important information to establish during the assessment interview that might be relevant to 1) practicalities during the assessment (e.g. issues of concentration or fatigue during testing); or 2) further details that are relevant to the question (e.g. additional details about the history)

400 word

Outlines specific neuropsychological tests that should be employed to ensure a thorough assessment of all relevant cognitive domains, giving appropriate reasoning as to why they should be included.

consider what tests you would administer based on the cognitive domains you want to assess and how the results will inform the recommendations you make for the patient.

250 word

Suggests relevant and appropriate clinical interventions or recommendations to address identified cognitive deficits as well as other relevant factors in the case (i.e. medical co-morbidities)

250 word

Discusses issues that are especially pertinent to the case. For example, ways to ensure they are obtaining a valid measure of the person’s abilities, and why this is of particular importance in a clinical setting.

 

200 word

Arguments in the essay are comprised of pertinent assertions supported by relevant academic references.

200 word

The arguments are drawn together into a logical and compelling conclusion that responds to aims set out in the introduction.

200 word

Unresolved issues are identified, and suggestions made as to how they might be investigated in future (i.e. what investigations would support the conclusions made in the essay).