1. Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders
BC Farnham, MSW, MBA; Debbie Favel, RN, MSN, CHPN; Dr. Denise Green; Sheryl Matney, MS; Jenny Gilley Carpenter, LPN.; Karina Lemos, RN.; Elizabeth R. Pugh, LBSW.
This program is made possible through a collaborative community-education partnership between The Consortium for Advancements in Health & Human Services, Inc. and the presenting agency. The primary goal of this effort is to increase public awareness and access to hospice care, through the provision of community-based education. Contact Hours are awarded to professionals who complete this program by The Consortium for Advancements in Health & Human Services, Inc.
© 2010 The Consortium for Advancements in Health & Human Services, Inc.

2. Important Information
This education program for healthcare professionals was developed by The Consortium for Advancements in Health and Human Services, Inc. (CAHHS) and is facilitated by the presenting agency via a community education partnership agreement. CAHHS is a private corporation and is solely responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of its educational programs. There is no fee associated with receiving contact hours for participating in this program titled, Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders. However, participants wishing to receive contact hours must offer a signature on the sign-in sheet, attend the entire program and complete a program evaluation form.
The Consortium for Advancements in Health and Human Services, Inc. is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Alabama State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. The Consortium for Advancements in Health & Human Services, Inc., is approved as a provider of continuing education in Social Work by the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners, #0356, Expiration Date: 10/31/2014.
The course listed above was completed on / / and is approved for 1.0 CEUs. Approval number: To claim these CEUs, log into your CE Center account at
In most states, boards providing oversight for nursing and social work recognize contact hours awarded by organizations who are approved by another state's board as a provider of continuing education.  If you have questions about acceptance of contact hours awarded by our organization, please contact your specific state board to determine its requirements. Provider status will be listed on your certificate.
CAHHS does not offer free replacement certificates to participants. In the event that CAHHS elects to provide a replacement certificate, there will be a $20.00 administrative fee charged to the individual who requests it.

3. Learning Objective(s):
Participants completing this educational program will be able to do the following:
Understand and recognize the four types of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Understand ways to communicate with a patient with Alzheimer’s Disease.

4. Dementia vs. Normal Aging
Forgetfulness due to aging or stress is NOT dementia related.
Dementia is not a disease but a group of symptoms.

5. Dementia
Loss of intellectual functions and memory sufficient to impair activities of daily living.
Occurs in Domains of…
Memory
Language
Visuospatial Skills
Complex cognition
Emotion and Personality
Visuospatial- pertaining to perception of the spatial relationships among objects within the field of vision.

6. 4 Major Types Dementia: Alzheimer Type
Vascular Dementia: multi-infarct
Diffuse Lewy Body Dementia
Pick’s Disease

7. Dementia: Alzheimer Type
50% of all dementias
Affects 4 million people
Irreversible
Neurofiber tangles & senile placques destroy cerebral cortex producing atrophy
Average Life expectancy 3 to 10 years
The major predictor of life expectancy is age; the younger a person is at diagnosis, the longer the life expectancy.

8. Changes in memory and in Language centers of the brain.

10. Vascular Dementia 5 – 10% incidence
Blockages in small arteries of the brain cause a loss of circulation beyond the blocked area…lead to brain cell death
Causes: High blood pressure or heart disease
Step–wise progression; periods of stability with sudden significant declines

12. Diffuse Lewy Body Dementia
15% incidence
Caused by protein deposits in the brain
Characterized by hallucinations and difficulty with motor skills
Acute/Rapid onset
Life expectancy similar to Alzheimer’s Dementia

13. Pick’s Disease 15% incidence
Affects frontal and temporal lobes of the brain
Causes personality changes, socially inappropriate behavior, amnesia, speech difficulties
Younger onset, more commonly between age 40 and 60

14. Prognosis Permanent Loss of Neurons
Medications, which prevent breakdown of acetylcholine, may slow progression for a period of time

15. Signs and Symptoms Memory Loss – short and long term Confusion
Loss of reasoning and intuition
Inability to learn new things
Poor judgment
Loss of ability to use knowledge
Loss of ability to carry out motor tasks or follow directions

16. Signs and Symptoms Personality changes
Frustration, withdrawal, suspiciousness or restlessness
Disturbance of sleep cycle
Inability to perform ADLs
Inability to recognize friends and family
Emotional instability

17. Behavioral Issues Anxiety
Resistiveness to care due to inability to understand their environment and need for care

18. Causes of Death Infection Impaired immune function Immobility
Incontinence
Skin breakdown
Impaired swallowing
The patient “fades away”

19. Communication and Alzheimer’s Disease

20. Non-Verbal Communication
Caregivers should learn to read the body language of people with AD
Use all senses
If patient is unreceptive leave them alone for a few minutes
Make nonverbal messages match your words
Add positive, pleasant nonverbal behaviors

21. Verbal Communication & Language Changes
People with AD may:
Not be able to keep up with conversation
Not understand directions
Have increased confusion with background noise

22. Verbal Communication Tips and Techniques
Use simple, short sentences
Say the person’s name
Establish eye contact
Speak clearly, calmly and repeat as needed
Look for cues the person has heard you
Act out the message
Address the person by their given name

23. Early Stages Discuss important business in the mornings
Focus on one topic at a time
Use specific words, names of people and objects
Do not use pronouns or general language

24. Middle Stages Give stimulation that can be sensed emotionally
Give touch in a systematic way
Stimulate smell
Comb their hair
Give favorite foods
If the patient speaks in single words, then you should speak in single words

25. Late Stages Speak warmly, quietly and with eye contact
Pat or stroke their hand
Touch with love
SMILE

26. Effective Reaction Skills
Control your emotions
Analyze the situation
Be positive
Acknowledge the patient’s emotions

27. Use Communication Cards
Print a clear message
Make cards personal
Read it with the patient
Plan ahead

28. References
Special care of nursing home resident’s with alzheimer’s disease or related disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved August 17, 2010 from Florida Health Care Association website:
Stavitsky, K., Brickman, A. M., Scarmeas, N. Torgan, R. L., Tang, M. X., Albert, M., Brandt, J., Blacken, D., & Stern, Y. (2006). The progress on cognition, psychiatric symptoms and functional abilities in dementia with lewy bodies and alzheimer’s disease. Arch Neurol, 63 (10). Retrieved from
Zannetti, O., Solerte, S.B., & Cantoni, F. (2009). Life expectancy in alzheimer’s disease. Arch Gerontol Geriatr, 49. Retrieved from
Alzheimer’s association. (2010). Retrieved from