alzheimers-disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. At first, someone with Alzheimer's disease may notice mild confusion and difficulty remembering. Eventually, people with the disease may even forget important people in their lives and undergo dramatic personality changes. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia — a group of brain disorders that cause the loss of intellectual and social skills. In Alzheimer's disease, the brain cells degenerate and die, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function. At first, increasing forgetfulness or mild confusion may be the only symptoms of Alzheimer's disease that you notice. But over time, the disease robs you of more of your memory, especially recent memories. The rate at which symptoms worsen varies from person to person.
Instructed caregiver alzheimer's disease is not a preventable condition. However, a number of lifestyle risk factors for alzheimer's can be modified. Evidence suggests that changes in diet, exercise and habits — steps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease may also lower your risk of developing. Caregiver verbalized.
Instructed in measures that are beneficial to patients with Alzheimer's disease: explanation in a slow and simple language, maintaining familiar routine and approaching in a calm and slow manner.
Encouraged patient verbalization regarding fears and concerns about disease and prognosis. Taught patient how to help with reality orientation and stimulation.
SN instructed caregiver that Alzheimer’s disease progresses and a loss of appetite often becomes apparent. Primary caregiver may notice that the patient does not eat as much or refuses to eat at all. Possible causes of a poor appetite include: inability to recognize food, poorly fitting dentures, certain medications, lack of physical activity, diminished sense of smell and taste.
SN instructed on Alzheimer's. Patient shouts at moments; Assessed patient’s ability for thought processing. Observed patient for cognitive functioning, memory changes, disorientation, difficulty with communication, or changes in thinking patterns. Assessed patient’s ability to cope with events, interests in surroundings and activity, motivation, and changes in memory pattern. Instructed caregiver to orient patient to environment as needed, if patient’s short term memory is intact. Using of calendars, radio, newspapers, television and so forth, are also appropriate. Assessed patient for sensory deprivation, concurrent use of CNS drugs, poor nutrition, dehydration, infection, or other concomitant disease processes. Maintain a regular daily schedule routine to prevent problems that may result from thirst, hunger, lack of sleep, or inadequate exercise. Provide positive reinforcement and feedback for positive behaviors. SN instructed family in methods to use with communication with patient: listen carefully, listen to stories even if they’ve heard them many times previously, and to avoid asking questions that the patient may not be able to answer. Divert attention to a client when agitated or dangerous behaviors like getting out of bed by climbing the fence bed. Eliminate or minimize sources of hazards in the environment. Caregiver verbalized fair understanding.
Instructed caregiver about complications in patient with Alzheimer are memory and language loss, impaired judgment, and other cognitive changes caused by Alzheimer's can complicate treatment for other health conditions. A person with Alzheimer's disease may not be able to communicate that he or she is experiencing pain for example, from a dental problem, report symptoms of another illness, follow a prescribed treatment plan, notice or describe medication side effects.
Instructed caregiver as alzheimer's disease progresses to its last stages, brain changes begin to affect physical functions, such as swallowing, balance, and bowel and bladder control. These effects can increase vulnerability to additional health problems such as: inhaling food or liquid into the lungs (aspiration), pneumonia and other infections, falls fractures bedsores, malnutrition or dehydration. Caregiver verbalized.
Instructed caregiver alzheimer's disease and other disorders that cause dementia. Heart-healthy lifestyle choices that may reduce the risk of alzheimer's include the following: exercise regularly, eat a diet of fresh produce, healthy oils and foods low in saturated fat, follow treatment guidelines to manage high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, if you smoke, ask your doctor for help to quit smoking. Caregiver verbalized.
SN to assess patient with Alzheimer disease, identify any signs and symptoms requiring intervention; report significant changes to physician.
