Alzheimer's From The Patient's Perspective
Alzheimer's From The Patient's Perspective
Although the symptoms of the disease happen to the person with the disease they are often not recognized at first. In fact, if the individual lives alone and does not socialize often, the disease may not be caught in the mild stage. There are 3 stages to the disease (mild, moderate and severe). The diagnosis of Alzheimer's is usually made in the mild stage of the disease. The symptoms are cognitive, or behavioral in nature. The individual with the disease may notice the symptoms but may decide that they are just "old age creeping up" and brush them off until the time comes when the cognitive symptoms pose a threat to their safety or to the safety of a loved one.
When diagnosed the individual is usually upset over the prognosis and the prospect of losing touch with reality and not being able to recognize family members or close friends ñ this is perhaps the most frightening aspect of the disease. They will also fear not being able to make choices about their care or about how they are treated as they advance into the moderate and severe stages of the disease. It is important that these fears be addressed early on in the disease so that the individualís mind can be put at ease as much as possible. There are legal protections that can be put into place that assure the patient that there wishes will be carried out even when they can no longer communicate with others. The treatment plan can be outlined in advance for the moderate and severe stages of the disease when the patient is first diagnosed so that the doctor and staff are aware of preferences later on when the patient may not be able to understand or communicate them.
The individual should receive as much support as possible from the community and from Alzheimer support groups. Getting information about the disease will help him or her to understand in advance what to expect and what things can be done to make her or him more comfortable and to be able to feel safe. Care options can be explained so that the patient can make choices while the cognitive skills are still able to allow the individual to do so.
Preparation and planning are key to the individual being as confident as possible that she or he will have some control over their body and how they are treated in the later stages of the disease.
Alzheimer patients often worry about loved ones while they are still in the mild stage and go through the same stages of grief and emotional processing as most any patient does when they learn they are going to die. The prognosis for Alzheimer's is grim and any of us would admit that we would not want to face the disease.
The patient will be best served if they can not only be educated but also feel confident in the doctor and other medical team members that will be caring for them throughout the disease process. Care arrangements can be made in advance so that the patient can meet all caregivers (as much as possible) while still in the mild stage of the disease.
Although the symptoms of the disease happen to the person with the disease they are often not recognized at first. In fact, if the individual lives alone and does not socialize often, the disease may not be caught in the mild stage. There are 3 stages to the disease (mild, moderate and severe). The diagnosis of Alzheimer's is usually made in the mild stage of the disease. The symptoms are cognitive, or behavioral in nature. The individual with the disease may notice the symptoms but may decide that they are just "old age creeping up" and brush them off until the time comes when the cognitive symptoms pose a threat to their safety or to the safety of a loved one.
When diagnosed the individual is usually upset over the prognosis and the prospect of losing touch with reality and not being able to recognize family members or close friends ñ this is perhaps the most frightening aspect of the disease. They will also fear not being able to make choices about their care or about how they are treated as they advance into the moderate and severe stages of the disease. It is important that these fears be addressed early on in the disease so that the individualís mind can be put at ease as much as possible. There are legal protections that can be put into place that assure the patient that there wishes will be carried out even when they can no longer communicate with others. The treatment plan can be outlined in advance for the moderate and severe stages of the disease when the patient is first diagnosed so that the doctor and staff are aware of preferences later on when the patient may not be able to understand or communicate them.
The individual should receive as much support as possible from the community and from Alzheimer support groups. Getting information about the disease will help him or her to understand in advance what to expect and what things can be done to make her or him more comfortable and to be able to feel safe. Care options can be explained so that the patient can make choices while the cognitive skills are still able to allow the individual to do so.
Preparation and planning are key to the individual being as confident as possible that she or he will have some control over their body and how they are treated in the later stages of the disease.
Alzheimer patients often worry about loved ones while they are still in the mild stage and go through the same stages of grief and emotional processing as most any patient does when they learn they are going to die. The prognosis for Alzheimer's is grim and any of us would admit that we would not want to face the disease.
The patient will be best served if they can not only be educated but also feel confident in the doctor and other medical team members that will be caring for them throughout the disease process. Care arrangements can be made in advance so that the patient can meet all caregivers (as much as possible) while still in the mild stage of the disease.
Alzheimer Disease and The Treatments
Alzheimer Disease and The TreatmentsThis most common of all dementia diseases has no cure but the treatment options are many. The treatment options are based on the symptoms and on maintaining for as long as possible the independence of the individual and in slowing down if possible the progressive nature of the disease giving the patient and his/her family precious time together.
The treatments address both the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of the disease. Each treatment should have the goal of improving the day-to-day function of the patient and to give the best quality of care possible. Treatment options are often combined based on the presenting symptoms and how severe they are at the time. Treatment plans change because the symptoms progressively worsen and require reassessment on a regular basis.
The treatment plan should include educating all caregivers, family and close friends about the disease so that the patient can be made as comfortable as possible and in the least restrictive environment as possible that still addresses safety issues.
Research is being done to improve the treatments and involves clinical trials that offer new drugs. Doctors are usually made aware of these trials as they become available.
There are both medicated treatments and non-medicated treatments that are used in all 3 stages of the disease. Alternative treatments are often added to the treatment plan as needed and may include therapeutic activities such as physical and occupational therapy, exercise and diet management, psychiatric therapy, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, and pet therapy.
Due to the cognitive nature of some of the symptoms part of the treatment has to include teaching the family members and caregivers how to communicate with the individuals as the disease progresses. The individual will eventually lose all ability to communicate so it is vital that caregivers grasp an early understanding of the preferences in care of the individual so that respect can be given at a time when the patient is unable to voice opinions or give choices.
Using reality therapy, validation therapy and redirection can enhance such communication. It is also necessary that caregivers and other family members and friends learn how to give memory clues in the mild and moderate stages of the disease where appropriate to help the individual communicate and participate as much as possible with family members and friends.
Treatment options should include structure and consistency of routines because this is what addresses the symptoms the most and will make the individual the most comfortable.
As the disease progresses into the final stage it is important to keep the patient comfortable and to address the physical decline that will be present. The individual will experience difficulty swallowing, may not be able to sit or stand and will be incontinent of bowel and bladder habits. Treatment plans will need to reflect these changes.
Alzheimer Disease and The Treatmentsf on Amazon
Alzheimer's Disease is Not A Normal Part of Aging
Alzheimer's Disease is Not A Normal Part of Aging
Did you know that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is progressive in nature and that it is characterized by cognitive impairment and memory disturbances, language decline and dementia? Did you also know that your chance for getting Alzheimer's increases with age? It is not however a normal part of aging, it is a disease.
Scientists believe that Alzheimer's is connected to brain nerve cell death. Individuals over age 70 have an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease because age is the most common risk factor for the disease. Age is not the only risk factor for the disease; genetics is also a risk factor especially if you have a family member who has the disease or if you have Down's syndrome. If your parent had early onset Alzheimer's disease and have a genetic gene mutation they have a 50% risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. The genetic risk can also be there for individuals for a common for of the disease that scientist say is located on chromosome 19 although no specific genetic risks have been identified by scientists as of yet.
If you have other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, diabetes or coronary artery disease or if individuals have had less than eight years of education also have an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists have determined that individuals who have Down's syndrome may also have brain changes that may occur in the brain before age 40. When those who have Down's syndrome are aware of this risk for Alzheimer's disease they can take extra care to have medical exams to determine their risk.
As with any disease individuals need to not only be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and their risk factors for the disease they must also be willing to take action if they notice any signs or symptoms. Because Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, it needs to be understood that anyone exhibiting signs or symptoms of Alzheimer's is not exhibiting normal age stuff but should receive a prompt medical evaluation to determine if they have Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, doctors sometimes forget this important fact. They may assume that forgetting important things like turning off the stove, or where they put the car keys is a normal part of aging until they find out that an elderly patient's forgetfulness leads to a fire that injures others; a fire started because they forgot yet again, to turn off the stove. It is important to take all signs and symptoms seriously.
Today, individuals are living longer lives often into there 90s and sometimes past age 100. This statistic means that more individuals are reaching these older ages, which are more likely to show signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Signs and symptoms should not be taken for granted or overlooked simply because of advanced age.
Did you know that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is progressive in nature and that it is characterized by cognitive impairment and memory disturbances, language decline and dementia? Did you also know that your chance for getting Alzheimer's increases with age? It is not however a normal part of aging, it is a disease.
Scientists believe that Alzheimer's is connected to brain nerve cell death. Individuals over age 70 have an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease because age is the most common risk factor for the disease. Age is not the only risk factor for the disease; genetics is also a risk factor especially if you have a family member who has the disease or if you have Down's syndrome. If your parent had early onset Alzheimer's disease and have a genetic gene mutation they have a 50% risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. The genetic risk can also be there for individuals for a common for of the disease that scientist say is located on chromosome 19 although no specific genetic risks have been identified by scientists as of yet.
If you have other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, diabetes or coronary artery disease or if individuals have had less than eight years of education also have an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists have determined that individuals who have Down's syndrome may also have brain changes that may occur in the brain before age 40. When those who have Down's syndrome are aware of this risk for Alzheimer's disease they can take extra care to have medical exams to determine their risk.
As with any disease individuals need to not only be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and their risk factors for the disease they must also be willing to take action if they notice any signs or symptoms. Because Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, it needs to be understood that anyone exhibiting signs or symptoms of Alzheimer's is not exhibiting normal age stuff but should receive a prompt medical evaluation to determine if they have Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, doctors sometimes forget this important fact. They may assume that forgetting important things like turning off the stove, or where they put the car keys is a normal part of aging until they find out that an elderly patient's forgetfulness leads to a fire that injures others; a fire started because they forgot yet again, to turn off the stove. It is important to take all signs and symptoms seriously.
Today, individuals are living longer lives often into there 90s and sometimes past age 100. This statistic means that more individuals are reaching these older ages, which are more likely to show signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Signs and symptoms should not be taken for granted or overlooked simply because of advanced age.
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