Visionary Health Care Services Alzheimer’s & Dementia

The main topics that will be covered include, but are not limited to: Course Objectives The main topics that will be covered include, but are not limited to: Defining Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Risk Factors Caregiving Key Points

Facts and statistics* Of the 5.4 million Americans with Alzheimer's, an estimated 5.2 million people are age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65. One in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer's disease. Someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds. *http://www.alz.org/facts/

What Is Alzheimer’s disease? A slow, progressive disease – starting with mild memory problems and ending with severe brain damage. Course and speed vary – The course the damage takes and how fast changes occur vary from person to person. It is insidious, so it is gradual. 8 to 10 years, on average – Number of years patients with Alzheimer’s disease live after they are diagnosed, through the disease can last for as many as 20 years.

What Is Alzheimer’s disease? Brain activity – Scientists believe that plaques and tangles develop in the brain of an Alzheimer's patient, and may be a cause of the disease. First Symptoms – One of the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is memory Loss. Physiologically – As Alzheimer's progresses, brain tissue shrinks, fluids collect and cells die.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease The term refers to Alzheimer’s that occurs in a person under age 65. People who have early-onset Alzheimer’s may be in any stage of dementia – early, middle or late. Less than 10% of all Alzheimer’s disease patients have this type. Experts estimate that some 500,000 people in their 30s, 40s and 50s have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

How Alzheimer’s is Diagnosed? It is important to note that there is no single test that can diagnose Alzheimer’s. Patient History Physical Exam & Lab Tests Neuropsychological Testing The patient’s emotional/mental state The development of symptoms The family’s health history

Alzheimer's Disease: Symptoms and Treatments You Must Know Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss.

What causes Alzheimer's disease? Every day scientists learn more, but right now the causes of Alzheimer’s disease are still unknown, and there is no cure.

What is Dementia? Dementia is a general term describing the loss of the ability to think, remember, reason and communicate. It’s not a disease, but a group of symptoms or a syndrome that is caused by certain diseases, conditions or temporary illnesses.

What causes dementia? Strokes, tumors or head injuries Diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease Underactive thyroid glands - Hypothyroidism Vitamin B12 deficiencies Fluid buildup in the brain Substance abuse

People with dementia often: Red flag #1 Recent Memory Loss All of us forget things for a while and then remember them later. People with dementia often: Forget things, but they never remember them. They might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you’ve already given then the answer. They won’t even remember that they already asked the question.

Difficulty performing familiar tasks People with dementia often: Red flag #2 Difficulty performing familiar tasks People with dementia often: Cook a meal but forget to serve it. They might even forget that they cooked it.

TIME AND PLACE DISORIENTATION Red flag #3 TIME AND PLACE DISORIENTATION People with dementia MAY: Get lost on their own street. Forget how they got to a certain place. Forget how to get back home.

PROBLEMS WITH LANGUAGE Red flag #4 PROBLEMS WITH LANGUAGE People with dementia MAY: Forget simple words, or Use the wrong words *This makes it hard to understand what they want.

Red flag #5 MISPLACING THINGS May put things in the wrong places People with dementia: May put things in the wrong places Might put an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. *Then they can’t find these things later.

Red flag #6 POOR JUDGEMENT Even a person who doesn’t have dementia might get. But people who have dementia can forget simple things , like forgetting to put on a coat before going out in cold weather.

PROBLEMS WITH ABSTRACT THINKING Red flag #7 PROBLEMS WITH ABSTRACT THINKING Anybody might have trouble balancing a checkbook. But people who have dementia may forget what the numbers are and what has to be done to them.

Red flag #8 PERSONALILTY CHANGES Have drastic changes in personality. People with dementia: Have drastic changes in personality. Might become irritable, suspicious or fearful.

Everyone is moody at times. People with dementia: Red flag #9 CHANGES IN MOOD Everyone is moody at times. People with dementia: Experience fast mood swings. Go from calm to tears to anger in a few minutes.

LOSS OF INITIATIVE People with dementia: Red flag #10 LOSS OF INITIATIVE People with dementia: May become passive. Might not want to go places. Might not want to see other people.

Signs – Remember This… Remember, not everyone who has dementia will have all of these signs. If your resident has memory loss that is getting worse, have them see their doctor. It may be nothing to worry about, but if it is dementia, treatment may help.

What's the Difference Between Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia? Dementia Is a Group of Symptoms. Dementia isn't a disease. It's a group of symptoms that affect mental tasks like memory and reasoning. Dementia can be caused by a variety of conditions, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease.

Caregiving Imagine traveling to a foreign land where you: Do not speak the language Other people do not understand what you are saying to them You do not understand what people are saying to you!

Don’t rush the resident IMPORTANT KEY POINTS Keep a routine Don’t rush the resident It’s important when working with these residents to maintain a routine and schedule. Rushing the resident may give you more time for other activities, but it can make the resident resistive to care, frustrated and agitated. Allow them appropriate time to complete each task.

IMPORTANT KEY POINTS Encourage independence Maintain the resident’s dignity Help the resident maintain their independence and feelings of self worth by allowing them to do as much for themselves as they can, even if it’s a small task like picking out their clothing. How would you like it if someone undressed you for your bath and everyone was watching? ALL of our residents deserve privacy and sensitivity.

IMPORTANT KEY POINTS Encourage independence Maintain the resident’s dignity Help the resident maintain their independence and feelings of self worth by allowing them to do as much for themselves as they can, even if it’s a small task like picking out their clothing. How would you like it if someone undressed you for your bath and everyone was watching? ALL of our residents deserve privacy and sensitivity. Close the door when they are in the restroom. Don’t discuss their medications or health issues in front of any other residents. Knock before entering their room. Ask instead of tell.

IMPORTANT KEY POINTS Be flexible Be patient If a resident is resisting a bath or grooming, have enough flexibility in your schedule to try the task at a later time that day. Even our residents can have a bad day, too! This goes hand-in-hand with being flexible. Our residents do not move at the same pace that we do, nor do they want to. Allow sufficient time for each task or activity.

Have a sense of humor Sometimes, we just need to laugh and so do our residents! Bring joy into their lives by smiling, maintaining your positive outlook on life and being fun and engaging.

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