ALZHIEMERS DISEASE… “A journey of caring”

ALZHEIMERS DISEASE ALZHEIMERS DISEASE IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF DEMENTIA IN ELDERLY ALZHEIMER’S IS PREDICTED TO AFFECT 1 IN 85 PEOPLE GLOBALLY BY 2050 AD EXERTS A HEAVY EMOTIONAL TOLL ON FAMILY MEMBERS

RISK FACTORS OLD AGE APPRX. 10% OF ALL PERSONS AGE >70 HAVE SIGNIFICANT MEMORY LOSS,IN WHICH MORE THAN HALF OF THE CASES IS DUE TO ALZHEIMERS DISEASE

RISK FACTORS contd.. POSITIVE FAMILY HISTORY PAST HISTORY OF HEAD TRAUMA

POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS SMOKING HYPERTENSION LESS EXCERCISE LESS VEGTABLE & FRUITS IN DIET

CAUSES SCIENTISTS DON’T YET FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT CAUSES AD, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT IT DEVELOPS BECAUSE OF A COMPLEX SERIES OF EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN THE BRAIN OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

CAUSES CONT.. GENETIC FACTORS LIFESTYLE FACTORS ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS FORGETFULNESS SLOWLY IT BEGINS TO INTERFERE WITH DAILY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS DRIVING,HOUSE KEEPING,KEEPING TRACK OF FINANCES ETC.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS contd.. IN EARLY STAGE,MEMORY LOSS MAY GO UNNOTICED.IT MAY BE ASCRIBED TO BENIGN FORGETFULNESS PATIENT MAY BECOME LOST ON WALKS OR WHILE DRIVING HELP IS NEEDED WITH EATING, DRESSING, TOILETING ETC.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS contd.. IN LATER STAGES OF AD PATIENT MAY BECOME RIGID,MUTE,INCONTINENT AND BEDRIDDEN SOCIAL GRACES,ROUTINE BEHAVIOUR,SUPERFICIAL CONVERSATION MAY BE SURPRISINGLY INTACT IN EARLY STAGE

WHEN TO GET HELP ? INCREASE IN FREQUENCY OF MEMRY LOSS DIFFICULTY IN SIMPLE CALCULATION,CLOCK READING ETC

TROUBLE PERFORMING LEARNED SIMPLE SKILLS LIKE DRESSING,EATING WALKING ETC SLEEP-WAKE PATTERN DISORIENTED,NIGHT TIME WANDERING SIMPLE DELUSIONS LIKE THE THEMES OF THEFT,INFIDELITY,MISIDENTIFICATION

TREATMENT ALTHOUGH THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WAY TO CURE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, RESEARCHERS ARE MAKING ENCOURAGING ADVANCES IN ALZHEIMER'S TREATMENT, INCLUDING MEDICATIONS AND NON-DRUG APPROACHES TO IMPROVE SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT. PROPER CARE AND SUPPORT IS REQUIRED FROM FAMILY ALTHOUGH MEDICATIONS CANNOT CURE OR STOP THE PROGRESS OF AD,IT CAN DELAY THE PROGRESS.

ROLE OF FAMILY FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD EMPHASIZE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE PLEASANT & CURTAIL THOSE THAT ARE UNPLEASANT KITCHEN,BATHROOM,BEDROOM & STAIRWAY NEED TO BE MADE SAFE.EVENTUALLY PATIENT SHOULD STOP DRIVING

ROLE OF FAMILY COMMUNICATION AND REPEATED CALM REASSURANCE ARE NECESSARY APPOINT A CARE GIVER IF NECESSARY USE OF ADULT DAY CARE CENTRE MAY BE USEFUL KEEP TAB ON THE MEDICTION

WHAT NOT TO DO? PRACTISING SKILL THAT HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT SUCH AS THROUGH MEMORY GAMES AND PUZZLES WILL OFTEN FRUSTATE AND DEPRESS THE PATIENT WITH OUT PROVEN BENEFIT LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE AND CHANGE OF ENVIROMENT MAY WORSEN CONFUSION AND MAY AGITATE AND ANGER THE PATIENT

“WORLD ALZHEIMERS DAY”

ANY QUESTIONS???