IntroductionDementia is the most feared and distressing disorder of adult life. This essay will address the overview of dementia followed by the most common types of dementia. The essay will cover nursing assessment and interventions. A living activity issue will be identified and will also explore the assistance required in relation to this activity for an elderly patient/client with dementia, as well as patient and carer advice. Analysis of Dementia Overview The term dementia refers to a severe loss of memory and other intellectual abilities in a previously unimpaired person, exceeding what might be expected from normal aging (Dhanani & Wilkins, 2008). The origin of the word dementia comes from the Latin word “demens” which means crazy or to be out of one's mind (Banerjee, 2011, p.2). According to Miller (2009, p. 263), dementia is a syndrome and not a disease, that is, it is a set of symptoms that can be caused by many different diseases. In the world there are approximately twenty-four million people affected by dementia, to which another four and a half million are added every year (Ferri, Prince, Brayne, Brodaty, Fratiglioni, 2005, p. 2113). Types of Dementia The most common types of dementia dementias are the primary dementias; occurring due to pathological conditions of the brain. Primary dementias include Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementias, vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies (Saxon, Etten & Perkins, 2010, p. 92). Alzheimer's disease is one of the diseases with the longest history of recognition. Alzheimer's disease and dementia are often used interchangeably (Miller, 2009, p. 263). Saxon, Etten & Perkins (2010, p. 93), state that, “Alzheimer's di...... middle of paper ......y, 65, 1232-1238.Miller, C. (2009). Nursing care for well-being in the elderly. (5th ed.). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.Morris, J. (2005). Dementia Update 2005. Alzheimer Disease and AssociatedDisorders, 19, 100-116.Saxon, S., Etten, M., & Perkins, E. (2010). Physical change and aging: a guide for the helping professions. (5th ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company.Silber, M., & Lois, K. (2010). Sleep medicine in clinical practice. (2nd ed.). NewYork: Informa Healthcare.Smith, M., Hall, G., Gerdner, L., & Buckwalter, K. (2006). Application of the progressively lowered stress threshold model across the continuum of care. North American Nursing Clinics, 41(1), 57–81. Vascular dementia: signs, symptoms, prevention and treatment. [nd]. Retrieved April 7, 2011, from http://www.helpguide.org/elder/vascular_demenza.htm.