dementia - alzheimers type
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
1/25
Mental Health:
Exercising the Mind
Dementia:
Alzheimers Type
By Melissa D.L. Jacobs, MSW, LCSW
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
2/25
Feeling Old Yet
Test youre A.Q. (Aging Quotient)
A. Swimming Pool
B. Prune
A. Raindrop
B. Mouth drool
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
3/25
Feeling Old Yet
Test youre A.Q. (Aging Quotient)
A. Plains Landscape
B. Cardiogram
A. Snowflake
B. Cataract
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
4/25
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Progressive, degenerative brain disease thatdestroys brain cells by attacking the brain. Itcauses problems with memory, thinking andbehavior.
Currently, there is no cure. It is a terminal diseasethat shortens ones life span.
There are 5 million Americans who haveAlzheimers Disease.
It is the 7thleading cause of death in the UnitedStates.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
5/25
What Alzheimers Disease is NOT:
An emotional illness The result of the normal aging process
Contagious
Hardening of the arteries
Mental retardation or mental laziness
A direct result of stress, grief, neglect or familyconflict
A result of vitamin deficiency.
Caused by lack of blood or oxygen to the brain.
A result of poisoning, a blow to the head or chronicalcoholism.
Preventable or curable.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
6/25
If its not part of the aging process
why do older people mostly have it?
There are risk factors with Alzheimers Disease.
Age: 65+ and increases +5 years; After age 85,the risk factor jumps almost to 50%
Family History: 2-3 times more likely to developthe disease if there is a family member with thediseasethe risk increases if there is more thanone.
Other Risk factors: Head injuries, Unhealthylifestyle. Risk increases for conditions thatdamage the heart and blood vessels (i.e. heartdisease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes,
high cholesterol).
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
7/25
How does someone know if they have
Alzheimer's Disease?
There are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's Disease.
1. Memory Loss
2. Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks
3. Problems with Language4. Disorientation to Time and Place
5. Poor or Decreased Judgment
6. Problems with Abstract Thinking
7. Misplaced Things8. Changes in Mood Swings
9. Changes in Personality
10. Loss of Initiative
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
8/25
Memory Loss
A common early sign of Alzheimer's
disease.
Forgetting information recently learned. Frequently forgetful overall and not being
able to recall information.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
9/25
Difficulty Performing Familiar
Tasks It becomes difficult to complete everyday
functions or even to try and plan tasks.
Examples:
- How to operate the microwave to
cook a meal.
- How to play a game.
- Organizing and paying monthly
bills.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
10/25
Problems with Language
Forgetting simple words or substituting
words.
Often makes speech or writing incoherentor difficult to understand.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
11/25
Disorientation to Time and
Place Becoming lost in neighborhoods they
have lived in for decades.
Wandering around in strange placesbecause they do not know where they are
or how they got there.
Forgetting how to get back home.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
12/25
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
13/25
Problems with Abstract
Thinking
Difficulty performing mental tasks.
They may forget how to use numbers.
Example:- How to correctly count up
money when grocery shopping
to pay for their purchase.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
14/25
Misplacing Things
Placing things inappropriately.
Examples:
- Milk in the closet.- Coins or money in the ice tray.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
15/25
Change in Mood or Behavior
They have mood swings that shift rapidly
without reason, (i.e. cryingcalm
anger.)
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
16/25
Changes in Personality
Dramatic changes and or shift in
personality.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
17/25
Loss of Initiative
They may become withdrawn andpassive. Not doing their normalactivities.
Examples:
- Sleeping more hours thanusual.
- Sitting and watching TV forlonger periods of time.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
18/25
How does someone find out if they
have Alzheimers Disease?
If someone suspects they, a family member orfriend has Alzheimers Disease the best thing todo is have them speak to their primary care
physician.
No one test can diagnosis Alzheimers. It isdiagnosed through exclusion.
Ideally, the patient should have a medicalhistory, neurological evaluation, psychiatricevaluation, and social history included in adiagnostic work-up.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
19/25
Alzheimer's Disease:
General Stages of Progression
First Stages: Forgetfulness
Impaired Judgment
Unable to handle routine tasks
Lacks spontaneity
Lessening of initiative
Disorientation time/place Depression & terror
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
20/25
Alzheimer's Disease:
General Stages of Progression
Second Stage Wandering and perseveration
Increasing disorientation
Increasing forgetfulness
Agitation and restlessness
Repetitive actions
Decreased sensory perception Inability to think abstractly
Muscle twitching may develop
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
21/25
Alzheimer's Disease:
General Stages of Progression Third Stage
Major Disorientation
Complete dependence in activities of daily living
(ADLs)
Inability to recognize self or other people about
them
Speech impaired, or progresses to being mute
Becomes emaciated
Develop morbid need to put everything in their
mouth
Develop a necessity to touch everything in sight.
Cant walk, talk, swallow (lost of all body functions)
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
22/25
Treatment Options?Cognitive Symptoms
There is no cure for Alzheimers Disease but there aretreatment options to help treat some of the cognitive andbehavioral symptoms.
Some of the medications approved by the FDA to treat thebrain for memory, awareness, language, judgment andthought processes are: Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne.
Namenda is a medication that treats informationprocessing.
Vitamin E is another treatment option which can be usedunder the supervision of a physician.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
23/25
Treatment Options?Behavioral Symptoms
The behavioral symptoms (anxiety, depression, wandering,impulses, sleep disturbances, restlessness, agitation, delusions,etc.) can be managed with medications as well.
If the symptoms are managed with medications they should be
closely monitored by a physician.
Best practice is to try and change behaviors without medicationsfirst. By identifying the symptomUnderstanding its causeChanging the caregiving environment to remove challenges.
Try to identify if there are any triggers or obstacles (i.e. differentliving arrangement, new caregiver, travel, company in the home,being asked to bathe or change clothes, admission to a hospital)
in the environment that are causing the behavior and change orremove it.
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
24/25
Caregiver Tips Learn about resourcesIn-home assistance, visiting nurses, Meals-on-Wheels,
adult day care
Stay educated about the disease as it progresses
Get HelpAsk for assistance if you feel overwhelmed. There are supportgroups available. You must accept the changes and learn to utilize theresources available for you.
Take care of yourselfBe careful and watch your diet by getting plenty ofexercise and rest to reduce stress levels.
Do legal & financial planningConsult an attorney to discuss legal andfinancial care issues. Try to involve the person with Alzheimer's and otherfamily members if possible.
Be realisticThe behaviors experienced through Alzheimers cannot becontrolled.
Give yourself credit, not Guilt!You are doing the best you can. Dont feelguilty because you cant do more. You are there caring for them and for thatyou should be proud.
(alz.org)
-
8/11/2019 Dementia - Alzheimers Type
25/25
Alzheimers Association
1-800-272-3900http://www.alz.org
For more information:
http://www.alz.org/http://www.alz.org/