Dementia Case Study: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment of a 70-Year-Old Male

70 Years

Age

Male

Gender

War Veteran

PROFEESIONAL Background

History and Early Causes of Dementia

Retired at the age of 60.
He led a normal, disciplined life like other army officers. He followed a disciplined routine.
However, the patient later started suffering from short-term memory loss.

Symptoms:

- Symptoms included memory decline and general confusion.
- He experienced difficulty with language, repeated the same questions and suffered from poor judgment.
- The patient also lost interest in routine activities and started hallucinating, often feeling delusional.
- Minor shivering and shaking of hands was also noticed from time-to-time.

Dementia Diagnosis and Assessment

Diagnosing a patient with dementia requires a thorough diagnostic procedure. Some of the best diagnostic techniques:

Brain Imaging

CT scans and MRI tests created detailed brain images to detect any bleeding, strokes, tumours or fluid build-up that could disrupt the supply of oxygen to the brain.

Neurocognitive Testing

Cognitive testing uses written and behavioural assessments to measure how well he could solve calculations or riddles. These evaluations examined memory, reasoning and planning abilities. The aim was to guide accurate diagnosis.

Psychiatric Evaluation

A mental health professional checked for depression, anxiety and mood swings. The aim was to trace the extent of cognitive decline a patient has suffered.
The above mentioned laboratory tests helped rule out infections and inflammation in the brain that could be restricting oxygen supply. The patient was also tested to diagnose thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies, however, nothing conclusive came up.
Cerebrospinal fluid testing and negating autoimmune disorders further helped in negating other health problems which lead to proper diagnosis.

Treatment and Management of Dementia

Approach: Once the diagnosis was over, the family was explained the treatment plan. Medication to be prescribed, therapy to be administered and frequency of sessions were also informed.

Medical Treatments: The patient was provided with medication to treat vitamin E, B-1, B-6, and B-12 deficiencies, which can lead to declines in cognitive functioning. Nutritionists at Calida Rehab Centre framed a diet plan that benefited the cognitive impairment of the patient.

Improvements/Recovery Timeline: Here is a week-wise description of the treatment plan that helped the patient recover and live life with minimum dependence on family and therapists:

Week 1: Interview Sessions

The patient was interviewed thoroughly to assess his speech behaviour.
Therapists assessed his way of speaking and recalling memories since there was no history of brain injury.
The patient was able to remember names of family members but was unsure about important years, dates and days.
The family was included in the sessions to cross-check whether the information was correct and to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis.

Week 2-4: Introduction to therapy sessions

The first step of therapy was to administer Occupational Therapy, wherein the patient’s history was assessed.
He was asked about his job, the various posting stations, and the landmarks in his career.
Therapists created a personalised plan and suggested certain home adjustments.
The mental health professionals worked on communication improvement, refining his motor skills, and honing his reasoning abilities.
For instance, name-face matching, card games, jigsaw puzzles, and category games were played. Therapists counselled the family to aid the patient so that he could manage his life independently. This therapy continued for almost 14 days.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy:

- Cognitive Stimulation Therapy included group activities and structured exercises to strengthen his memory. Therapists tried to repair the damage by improving his problem-solving skills and restoring his language abilities.
- Therapists encouraged participation in activities more than perfection. Simple board games like Ludo and Monopoly with other patients were played with the aim to hone social skills and providing some form of entertainment.
- This therapy continued for the next 21 days. The frequency of sessions was eventually reduced as the patient showed considerable improvement.

Week 5-8: Perform Simple Tasks

Mental health experts at Calida Rehab Centre created environments that stimulated the memory of a patient suffering from dementia. Song singing, performing skits and role-playing further helped patients interact with ease.
He participated in activities like walking in sensory gardens and adapting to cinematic events.
Patients were provided with a simplified experience involving sight, sound, touch, smell and taste for maximum engagement.

Week 9-12: Follow-up & Observation

The patient started accompanying other patients in games. The patient actively participated in group activities and also counselled new patients about dementia.
Once the patient was able to manage his routine and show cognitive improvement, the number of sessions were reduced. He was advised to visit the facility thrice a week.
However, online sessions are not recommended to patients suffering from dementia as screen time has to be kept under check.

Our Success: Successful Dementia Treatment Outcome

Impact on Patient’s Life:

Therapy helped this patient and his family regain confidence in life. It improved memory recall and managed daily routines with greater independence.
Cognitive exercises like playing SoDuKu were introduced in their structured routines and emotional resilience was built.
The patient became more communicative and aware experiencing a renewed sense of dignity.

Family and Community:

The therapy had a positive impact on the patient’s family and community. The constant stress of care-giving was lowered as the family felt re-assured seeing progress.
There was a reinforcement of emotional connection. Increased awareness and community inclusion further reduced stigma around dementia.