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ThursdayJan 17 at 12:01amManage Discussion Entry
Poster Presentation Transcript:  Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Topic:  Alzheimer’s Disease:
My name is Dana Senn.  I will be presenting the topic of “Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease.Alzheimer’s Disease is often known as the” OLD Timers” disease.  It typically effects older individuals or individuals that have experienced trauma to their brain. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia. Dementia what exactly is it and what does it do? Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning such as thinking, remembering, reasoning as well as behavior.  Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease patients’ abilities eventually become impaired enough to interfere with their daily activities. As the individual’s cognitive functions worsen with the progression of the disease some of the other functions that become impaired include memory,language skills, visual perception, problem solving, self-management, as well as the ability to focus and pay attention.  Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that starts out basically unnoticeable (mildest stage) and will progress in severity to the point where the patient will need continues care (severest stage) for all their activities even their most basic functions (Staedtler & Nunez 2015).
ARE THERE TREATMENTS AVAILABLE?:  Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is increasing partly because of the medical treatment that is available.  ALTHOUGH there is no none cure for Alzheimer’s disease, Patients and family members have a sense of hope knowing that there are medications available. The medications that have been proven to aid in slowing the disease are medications that affect neurons in the brain.  These drugs do not prolong the patients life but have been proven to aid in the process of slowing down the disease’s progression.  The life span of an Alzheimer’s patient ranges from 5 to 10 years according the severity (Boyd, 2013).
The future projections for Alzheimer’s disease:  The number of individuals in the United Kingdom with dementia is expected to double in the next 40 years.  In 2012 there were 800,000 people with dementia, in 2021 there is an expected 1 million people that will suffer from dementia and in 2051 it is predicted to be one million, seven hundred thousands people with the disease in the United Kingdom alone (clip art , Microsoft Word, 2016).
How to help a loved one with Alzheimer’s Diseases…: Several things will help individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Finding a good primary physician is a must.  Providing the patient with love and care that includes preparing meals, giving medications, and transportation to appointments  are all very important.  Offering your loved one opportunities to exercise their brains are important as well.  There are many ways to do this.  Reading books, doing puzzles, playing board games, cards, and crossword puzzles will all be beneficial in good cognitive exercise (Alzate, 2018)
HOW DOES AD AFFECT THE FAMILY:    Alzheimer’s Disease is a very sad disease to go through with a family member.  Family members often find themselves upset or even depressed when their loved one begin forgetting their name or face.  Continuing to love and care for them will get harder and harder over time.  Eventually the patient may have to be placed in a nursing home or assisted living home to receive 24 hour care until they pass. Hopefully a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease is in the near future and many family members can live a healthy cognitive life (Alzate, 2018).
References:
Alzate, L. (2018). Alzheimer’s Disease.  Nutritional Perspectives:  Journal Of The Council On Nutrition,      41(2), 28-35.
Boyd, R. (2013). Early diagnosis and access to treatment for dementia patients. Nurse  Prescribing, 11(4), 174-178.
Clip Art; Microsoft Word, 2016
Staedtler, A. V., & Nunez, D. (2015). Nonpharmacological Therapy for the Management ofNeuropsychiatric Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease: Linking Evidence toPractice. WORLDVIEWS ON EVIDENCE BASED NURSING, (2). 108.
PSY699 Alzheimer’s Disease PPP.pptx