ipl-logo

Alzheimer's Disease: A Case Study

650 Words3 Pages

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurocognitive disorder which currently affects roughly 40 million people worldwide. Nevertheless, those statistics are rising due to a combined effect of the baby boomer generation and advanced medical treatment leading to longer life spans (Chumakov, et al., 2015). Diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease is two-fold. First, the criteria must be met for a Mild Neurocognitive Disorder as detailed in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5.In order to diagnose mild or major neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease the above criteria must be met as specified in the DSM-5. Additionally, a neurological examination should be performed, if at all possible, to exclude other causes of possible age related dementia …show more content…

By researching this neurocognitive disorder I will be educating myself and my husband so we will be able to make responsible decisions regarding her care. My husband has already witnessed his maternal grandmother slowly fall victim to Alzheimer’s disease and slip away. Currently he is watching his mother follow the same path, but at a much earlier age than his grandmother. He is now convinced Alzheimer’s disease is genetic and fully expects to be diagnosed in the future. While the genetic possibility is a valid concern, it has also been shown Alzheimer’s primarily effects women (Advokat, Comaty, & Julien, 2014). On the other hand, studies show this may be due less with gender and more with life expectancy as women tend to live longer than men (Advokat, Comaty, & Julien, 2014). By researching now and learning the early warning signs, I will better understand what to watch for and when to act. If my husband is diagnosed in the future with Alzheimer’s disease, I will be in a better place to find resources to slow his decline and hopefully add many productive years to his

Show More
Related
989 Words | 4 Pages

It provides the opportunity for prompt evaluation of the patient and possibly administer tests and treatments for reversing and determining the causes of memory loss. In addition, early diagnosis provides time for patients and families to prepare for the future and most importantly it maximizes the patients opportunity to contribute to their own care planning process. As previously stated, the diagnosis of dementia most commonly takes place in the primary care setting. During primary care visits with older or elderly people the interactions tend to be brief and patients often present multiple health conditions that they are experiencing. It can be challenging for the physician to pin point those intersecting health concerns with Alzheimer’s if they are not properly trained to do so.

Read More
273 Words | 2 Pages

The Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation (LIAF) is a social model day program for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other related memory disorders to help improve their quality of life. LIAF is located in Port Washington, NY and offers services to treat individuals with early, moderate and late stage Alzheimer’s. The agency population is comprised of male and female participates with ages ranging from mid-fifties to late-nineties who all suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. LIAF biopsychosocial are done during a client’s initial intake and reviews are conducted quarterly by a Social Worker.

Read More
793 Words | 4 Pages

Introduction Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and gets worse over time. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events or short memory loss. As the disease advances, symptoms can include difficulty with language, disorientation, mood swing and behavior problems. As a person 's condition progressed, they often withdraw from friends and family. Slowly, bodily functions deteriorated and eventually death occurs.

Read More
1134 Words | 5 Pages

Research shows that Alzheimer’s disease may triple in the coming decades. In 2004, the annual cost averages $60,000.00 for nursing home care in the United States. Prolonging home care will cut that amount. The study did not provide a cost analysis but future research should consider this topic. Another strength is that the study demonstrates that evidence based interventions are effective for caregivers, including all caregivers not just of Alzheimer’s patients (Mittelman, et el., 2006).

Read More
1671 Words | 7 Pages

According to Wilkerson (2017), impaired memory is a subjective characteristics of chronic confusion (p. 167). Another unique aspect is JT is not prescribed medication for her dementia. In some circumstances, pharmacological interventions are utilized (Harrison-denning,

Read More
1113 Words | 5 Pages

The term ‘dementia’ is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain. Doctors typically use the word ‘dementia’ to describe the common symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and problems with speech and understanding. Each type of dementia stops an individual’s brain cells working in specific areas, namely their ability to speak and remember things. 1.2 -Describe key functions of the brain that are affected by dementia The brain is made up of four lobes, namely frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital, all of which have different functions.

Read More
799 Words | 4 Pages

Age – people over 65 years are under bigger risk Family history – if there were relatives with dementia in family Head injury Lifestyle factors – bad diet, abusing alcohol Genetics – including Down syndrome Physical conditions – heart disease, sclerosis Learning disability 3.4 Identify prevalence rates for different types of dementia? The relative frequency of different form of dementia is: Alzheimer's disease – 62% Vascular dementia – 17% Mixed dementia [both Alzheimer and vascular] – 10% Lewy body dementia – 4% Front temporal dementia – 2% Parkinson's dementia – 2% Other - 3% 4.1 Describe how different individuals may experience living with dementia depending on age, type of dementia, and level of ability and

Read More
652 Words | 3 Pages

Dementia Is a Normal Part of Aging Although, age

Read More
554 Words | 3 Pages

Dementia is not a specific illness. It 's an overall term that describes a range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to cut a person 's ability to do everyday activities. Alzheimer disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile dementia," which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging.

Read More
526 Words | 3 Pages

Patients with Alzheimer's, when informed, will become depressed knowing they will soon lose all their memories. People with Alzheimer’s may dwell on the fact that their life is ending and they will be a burden on their family. Some say one should be informed of their disease because they should know of their well-being. They believe one would benefit from knowing and live their lives to the fullest. Others don't agree with this because once one is told their lives are basically over one won't be able to enjoy the rest of their lives as they did before.

Read More
1191 Words | 5 Pages

In the case of women, the risk increases mostly due to living longer. B. According to the same Mayo Clinic article, some evidence indicates that other health factors such as type 2 diabetes, smoking, heart disease, and obesity might also put you at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Connective/Transition: Now that we’ve discussed some risk factors, let’s move onto the causes and effects

Read More
798 Words | 4 Pages

Unfortunately Alzheimer's can affect anyone, it is a disease that weakens the memory more and more as time goes on and eventually turns into Dementia. In 2007 my grandpa started to develop Alzheimer’s and my grandma wanted to make sure he would be cared for by his

Read More
508 Words | 3 Pages

In summation, Alzheimer’s is a disease which affects the entire mind and body. It includes dementia as a side effect. Alzheimer’s has 3 distinct stages whereas dementia is a blanket label that can be caused from improper nutrition, side effects of trauma, or even side effects of medication or other diseases. Patients with Alzheimer’s can only be made comfortable, and well cared for to help ease the transition.

Read More
1391 Words | 6 Pages

Dementia is one of the most feared diseases and expensive to society currently. It is defined as a clinical syndrome of acquired cognitive impairment that determines decrease of intellectual enough capacity to interfere social and functional performance of the individual and their quality of life. It is a known fact that patients tend to express themselves through their behaviour and expect their carers to understand this notion. The diverse kinds of causes of different behaviours are inability to communicate, difficulty with tasks, unfamiliar surroundings, loud noises, frantic environment, and physical discomfort. Many diseases can cause dementia, some of which may be reversible.

Read More
1326 Words | 6 Pages

The presence of gender issues and inequality within the 21st century was a future that most would have not predicted. The inequality between the two genders has been continuously present within society for a number of decades, yet the progress in which to decrease such issues has been nothing but slow. From the creation of great nations to the present day, women and men have always met at an impasse when it comes to equality; there is always something within society that highlights the gap between both genders in regards to treatment and respect. However, such thought has been caused by society’s inability to see women in a different light that is not under the shadow of a man. World famous author Virginia Woolf did the complete opposite.

Read More

More about Alzheimer's Disease: A Case Study

Related Topics

Open Document