1. Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease Presented by Greater Wisconsin Chapter

2. Objectives What is Dementia Understanding of reversible and irreversible dementias; Alzheimer’s Effects of dementia and stages Communication Life Story

3. Dementia NOT a normal part of aging Progressive loss of intellectual abilities such as thinking, remembering & reasoning that interfere with daily living Interferes with ability to care for oneself, socialize, plan for the future Can accompany or be part of many diseases and physical conditions Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia

4. What are the Reversible Causes of Dementia?  Infection  Drugs  Emotional changes (Depression)  Blood Sugars ( Hypo/hyperglycemia)  Eyes & Ears  Nutrition  Tumors  Alcohol

5. Irreversible Causes of Dementia  Alzheimer’s Disease  Lewy-Body Dementia  Vascular Dementia  Front temporal Dementia (Pick’s Disease)  AIDS & at least 70 other conditions

6. Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory, ability to learn, reasoning, making judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality & behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness, agitation, delusions or hallucinations Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of irreversible dementia Each person progresses differently through the disease process

7. Brain of Healthy Older Adult

8. Brain of Person with Alzheimer’s Disease

9. The Effects of Dementia Memory Changes Language Changes Perception & Recognition Changes Purposeful Movement Changes Complex Thought Changes We need to change, they can not

10. Early Stage Characteristics 3Short-term memory 3Handling money 3New learning 3Finding words 3Decreased attention span

11. Middle Stage Characteristics 3Sleep disturbances 3Wandering 3Disinhibition 3Agitation 3Social isolation 3Language skill decline 3Paranoia 3Hallucinations 3Resistance 3Sun downing

12. Late Stage Characteristics 3Non-recognition of self or others 3Communication profoundly impaired 324 hour care required 3Incontinent

13. So unique!!! So, you’ve met one person with Alzheimer’s Disease. That only means you’ve met one person with Alzheimer’s Disease!

14. Life Story The person’s Life Story is the basis for all interactions with him or her. It is the way to connect the individual to his or her day.

15. What is a “Life Story?” Life accomplishments & achievements Likes & Dislikes Relationships with family & friends Pet Peeves & Comforts Routines Cultures & Traditions, Rituals

16. Communication Varies with Each Individual The person with dementia may: Have difficulty finding the right words Use familiar words repeatedly Invent new words to describe familiar things Easily lose their train of thought Revert to native languages Use inappropriate language (curse words) Rely on gestures instead of verbalizations

17. Non-Verbal Communication Non-verbal communication is everything but the actual words we speak!  Visual Cues  Tone of Voice  Body Language

18. Non-verbal communication becomes more important as the disease progresses.

19. Help the Person Communicate Be patient and supportive Show interest Offer reassurance Give the person the gift of time Do not criticize or correct Do not argue Offer a guess Limit distractions

20. Use Your Best Communication Skills Identify yourself How is the environment Use the person’s name Make eye contact Use short, simple words and sentences Speak slowly and clearly Give one-step directions Ask one question at a time

21. Symptomatic Behaviors People with dementia cannot change who they are any more than they can change the effects of dementia. It is up to us to adapt.

22. Behavior Becomes the Symptom All behavior has meaning. Form of communication Not always a “problem” Does not just happen, but builds over time Behavior becomes the language of the disease

23. IMPORTANT!  Sudden and/or a major changes in typical mood, function or behavior, could be caused by other physical conditions (reversible causes).  Remember Alzheimer’s disease is slow and progressive  We must carefully assess and appropriate treat

24. Possible Influences to Consider Work history/habits Chronic medical conditions Environment unfamiliar, too stimulating, not stimulating Tasks too difficult Pain Past leisure interests Acute medical conditions Misperception Approaches of care partners, others Confusing cues in the environment

25. Observation 1. When does the problem occur 2. Who was involved/Who was effected 3. What emotions were expressed Anger, Frustration, Fear 4. How did the care professional respond 5. How was their approach

26. Problem Solving 1.Try to understand why this behavior is occurring. 2.What factors may be triggering the behavior 3.Develop a list of alternative strategies for responding to the behavior or situation. 4.Problem solving is a process of trail and error. 5.Recognize elements in the environment, medical issues or problems of communication 6.Know the resident

27. Alzheimer’s Association Information & Referral and Care Consultation Caregiver and Early Stage Support Groups Education: Professional and Consumer Medic Alert + Safe Return Advocacy Our Mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our Vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.

28. Questions?