Understanding dementia in relation to brain and communication disordersIt is well known that the elderly population in our society is increasing in number. With this increase comes awareness and prevalence of common health problems among older adults. Dementia is a disease commonly associated with the geriatric population. To understand dementia, one should know its symptoms, causes and different treatment options. This study focuses specifically on the relationship between dementia and brain and communication disorders. Defining DementiaButcher, Mineka, and Hooley (2013) described dementia as a progressive disorder that presents with a decline in functioning and has a gradual onset. There are many different disorders that can cause dementia. Boucher et al. (2013) reported that some of the causes were stroke, infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies, head trauma, and degenerative brain diseases. The most common and notable cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease (Butcher et. al., 2013). “As Alzheimer's disease progresses, neurofibrillary tangles spread throughout the brain” (National Institutes of Health, 2012). Plaques and tangles are major features of Alzheimer's disease, as are problems with nerve cell communication in the brain. In the final stage, the damage is extensive and the brain tissue has shrunk significantly (National Institutes of Health, 2012). Early Signs and Symptoms As dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) is frequently the cause of dementia in the geriatric population, symptoms, treatments, and the effectiveness of treatments will be discussed. Alzheimer's dementia is a cognitive impairment, resulting in the inability to learn and retain new information... middle of article...... Abnormal Psychology (15th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education. Focht, A. (2009). Differential diagnosis of dementia. Geriatrics, 64(3), 20-26. Jootun, D. and McGhee, G. (2011). Effective communication with people with dementia.Nursing Standard, 25(25), 40-47.Lu, Der Fa,PhD., RN, & Herr, Keela, PhD, RN,AGSF, FAAN (2012). Pain in dementia: recognition and treatment. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 38(2), 8-13.doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20120113-01National Institutes of Health (December 2012). What is Alzheimer's disease? Retrieved from http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimersdisease/whatisalzheimersdisease/01.htmlSmith-Conway, ER, Baker, R., Angwin, AJ, Pachana, NA, Copland, DA, Humphreys, MS… Chenery, HJ (2012, May ) . Dementia educational strategies. (2012). Australian Journal of Nursing, 19(10), 35.