There is an increased prevalence of dementia and Type 2 diabetes. One of the major reasons for such trend is the fact that both disorders are interrelated with such physical process as aging, while there is a global increase of the life durability. In the case of gaining both conditions by one individual, such patient represents the complex needs, which need to be addressed by the professionals in healthcare as well as family members.
It was indicated by the scholars that those individuals, who suffer from diabetes, represent the higher probability of developing different forms of dementia (in comparison to other population). One of the core reasons for such trend is the possible genetic intererlations- as the common risk factors for the lifestyle are shared by both conditions.
It is essential to note that there is a high risk of delaying the diagnosis of diabetes among those patients, who have already been diagnosed with dementia. There is a set of the objective reasons for that. That is why, there are large-scale implications for self-management among those people, who develop dementia and are already diagnosed with diabetes.
That is why, the major emphasis in the process of treatment of such group of people (who have been diagnosed with diabetes and develop dementia), should be put on their safely measures enhancement. For example, there is a need of avoiding the hypoglycaemia alongside with maintenance of the independence of such individual in terms of one’s self care and self-management for the maximally durable timeframe. In addition, there is a need for corresponding professional training of the staff, which would be involved into the process of care provision to such type of patients.
The next issue to be considered in this paper is diagnosing of dementia. It is essential to refer to the fact that currently, scholars have outlined more than 100 types of dementia. Among the most common ones, Alzheimer’s Society (2014) has determined vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Among the early signs of such disorders, it is possible to consider the following: complications in finding the right words, repetitiveness, forgetfulness, loss of short-term memory etc. As soon a there is some progress in such conditions, the following symptoms occur: getting lost, some cases of disorientation, complications in managing the daily living and social situations (the frequency of such occurrences increases as one of such disorders progresses) (Hill, 2015).
While discussing the implications of diabetes for individuals with dementia, it is essential to note that such patients frequently lose their ability for recognition of the symptoms of diabetes, and thus, there is a high probability of missing the diagnosis of diabetes or its delaying. Such patients may face with the need for significant dietary changes, while the constant need for issuing the insulin injections or monitoring of the rate of blood glucose may lead to distress in the cases when the patients is not able to recognize the fact of being diagnosed with diabetes (because of dementia).
It is essential to note that the risk of hypoglycaemia is increased by the complete or partial loss of the short-term memory in the case if patients are treated with insulin, glitinides and sulphonylureas – in the case of getting the medication in not regular way or forgetting to take it at all.
Thus, it is possible to state a fact that large –scale impact is made by the loss of memory, caused by some form of dementia on the entire set of the activities, related with the diabetes management. Such people usually need medical and nursing assistance as they lose the ability of self-care and self-management.
References
Alzheimer’s Society (2014) Dementia UK: Update. Alzheimer’s Society, London in Hill, J. (2015) Diabetes and dementia: The implications for diabetes nursing. Journal of Diabetes Nursing Volume 19 No 4 2015, p. 148-151
Hill, J. (2015) Diabetes and dementia: The implications for diabetes nursing. Journal of Diabetes Nursing Volume 19 No 4 2015, p. 148-151
