Organic dementia

Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses or diseases that cause a progressive decline in a person’s cognitive functioning. It is a broad term used to describe a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and what would be considered normal emotional reactions.

Most people with dementia are mature in age, but it is important to remember that it is not a normal part of the ageing process. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common after the age of 65 years. People in their 40s and 50s can also have dementia, referred to as early onset or presenile dementia.

Statistics

In Australia there were an estimated 54 000 new cases of dementia in 2006 with more than 210 000 Australians having dementia.  The total number of people with dementia is likely to exceed 730 000 by 2050 (Alzheimer’s Australia 2006).

Workplace adjustments and solutions

There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:

• attention and memory
• dealing with stress and psychological demands
• learning and applying knowledge
• maintaining learned tasks
• managing emotions at work
• organisation and planning
• orientation to place 
• problem solving and decision making
• self care
• speech and language
• written expression

References

Alzheimer’s Australia 2006, What is dementia?, Alzheimer’s Australia, Canberra, viewed 15 December 2006, <http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?infopageid=379>.

Links to specific types of Organic dementia

• Alzheimer's disease

• Early onset (pre-senile) dementia