...NURSING ROLE IN THE CARE OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA: USING RECOVERY APPROACH Dementia is defined by (World Health Organization, 1992) as a disease of the brain, usually of a chronic or progressive nature in which there is disturbance of multiple higher cortical function including memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, language and judgment. Consciousness is not clouded. The impairments of cognitive function are commonly accompanied and occasionally preceded by deterioration in emotional control, social behavioral or motivation. In view of the above symptoms, nursing care is important to help the patient in management of the condition. According to statistics It is estimated that 24.3 million people have dementia worldwide (Alzheimer’s Association, 2009) and with the United Kingdom (UK) having over 700,000 people with dementia, a condition costing the economy a staggering £17 billion a year (DH, 2009). As the dementia patients cannot explain their symptoms, care is based on the assumption that patients will express their wishes and be willing to comply (Archibald, 2003). The recovery approach in nursing people with dementia should be based largely on the documentation of the patients biography which is important in understanding how he or she responds to situations with a particular focus of the cultural and religious aspects(Hazel Heath (2010) The approach to be used by nursing in a recovery approach should include communication According to (Archibald...
Words: 700 - Pages: 3
...Dementia and Palliative Care Thomas Edison State College Introduction According to the Palliative Medicine article “global prevalence of dementia is almost 36 million people and the numbers are expected to double every 20 years (Ryan, Gardiner, Bellamy, Gott & Ingleton, 2011). With this in mind, in seems dementia is just as prevalent as cancer but these patients do not seem to receive the same end of life care or palliative care. The World Health Organization defines palliative care as An approach that improves quality of life in patients and families facing problems associated with life threatening illness, through prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification, impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and the problems with physical, psychosocial and spiritual. ("Who definition of," 2013) The two article summaries that follow will help healthcare staff understand the great need for palliative care in dementia, from the diagnosis to death. Annotated Bibliography Ryan, T., Gardiner, C., Bellamy, G., Gott, M., & Ingleton, C. (2011). Barriers and facilitators to the receipt of palliative care for people with dementia: The views of medical and nursing staff. Palliative Medicine, 26(7), 879-886. doi: 10.1177/0269216311423443 Tony Ryan and colleagues discuss how “people with dementia often receive too little care whereas end of life care is often characterized by too much” (Ryan, Gardiner, Bellamy, Gott &...
Words: 807 - Pages: 4
...Unit 40: Dementia Care P1: Describe types of dementia and common signs and symptoms. What is dementia? Dementia is a common condition that affects about 800,000 people in the UK. Your risk of developing dementia increases as you get older, and the condition usually occurs in people over the age of 65. Dementia is a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities. This includes problems with: * memory loss * thinking speed * mental agility * language * understanding * judgment People with dementia can lose interest in their usual activities, and have problems controlling their emotions. They may also find social situations challenging, lose interest in socializing, and aspects of their personality may change. A person with dementia may lose empathy (understanding and compassion), they may see or hear things that other people do not (hallucinations), or they may make false claims or statements. As dementia affects a person's mental abilities, they may find planning and organizing difficult. Being independent may also become a problem. A person with dementia will therefore usually need help from friends or relatives, including help with decision making. Most types of dementia can't be cured, but if it is detected early there are ways to slow it down and maintain mental function. Dementia is a collection of symptoms including memory loss, personality change, and impaired intellectual functions resulting from disease...
Words: 1888 - Pages: 8
...MEMORY Prepared by: XXXXXXXXX (matric no.) XXXXXXXXX (matric no.) Group XXX Prepared for: XXXXXXXXXXXX Date of Submission: July 2011 Introduction Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative brain disease, is the most common cause of dementia. It currently afflicts about 4 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of mental impairment in elderly people and accounts for a large percentage of admissions to assisted living homes, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, have been reported in a large proportion of patients with this disease. In fact, it is the presence of these psychotic symptoms can lead to early institutionalization (Bassiony, et al, 2000). Learning about Alzheimer’s disease and realizing that it is much more that just a loss of memory can benefit the families of those with the disorder as well as society as a whole. This paper is to look at the disorder, as well as to discuss the history, symptoms, diagnosis, current researches and hopes of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. History Around the turn of the century, two kinds of dementia were defined by Emil Kraepin: senile and presenile. The presenile form was described more in detail by Alois Alzheimer as a progressive deterioration of intellect, memory and orientation. As a neuropathologist, Alzheimer studied the case a 51 year-old...
Words: 2500 - Pages: 10
...Protection of Human Life in Law and Public Policy: Research Paper Topic Issue Statement: What are the moral, ethical, and legal implications associated with end of life care for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia? Sources: I will use a variety of articles, case law, and relevant statutes and regulations that deal specifically with end-of-life care. Sources I have already located: * Late stage and end-of-life care: Caregiving in the Final Stages of Life * http://www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_dementia_caring_final_stage.htm * A Christian Response to “End-of-Life” Decisions By Bert Thompson, Ph.D and Brad Harrub, Ph.D * http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=7&article=58 * Decision Making at the end of life: Patients with Alzheimer’s or other dementias * http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uspace/id/3461 * Ethics Conflicts in Rural Communities: End-of-Life decision-making * Taken from the Handbook for Rural Health Care Ethics: A Practical Guide for Professionals (PDF Download) * The Euthanasia Debate: Understanding the Issues * From the Christian Research Journal * Euthanasia Arguments-Christian Research Institute * http://www.equip.org/articles/euthanasia-arguments/ * Views on Euthanasia * http://www.equip.org/articles/views-on-euthanasia/ * Active and passive euthanasia * http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/overview/activepassive_1...
Words: 285 - Pages: 2
...Alzheimer’s Disease Michael A. Smith HCS/245 May 26, 2014 Dr. Michelle Clemons Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer is a stage of dementia which ability of the brain appears to stop functioning, such as creating memory loss, judgment instability, lack emotions with reasoning and changes in behavior. This is found more common in the elderly population of people. Studies shows apparently some people over sixty-five develops forms of dementia with the increase in later years after eighty-five. The Alzheimer's disease can be found in millions of Americans and more prevalent amongst African-Americans than other races. Describing the disease This type if disease very complex and changing rapidly without much discovery concerning treatments. When the processing of some proteins experiences interference or goes wrong terribly, the development of Alzheimer disease starts to blossom. This activity caused the brain cells with space between them cluttered with toxic protein; resulting loss nerve cells in regions of the brain upon investigation by microscopes for clear venture would reveal it. Such clusters are of two forms: the ones found between cells and those inside nerve cells. The dying nerve cells communicate with neurotransmitter acetylcholine a compound that would break down an enzyme known as acetyl cholinesterase and other studies now suggests having high cholesterol and also blood pressure being too high can be contributing toward Alzheimer disease significantly...
Words: 1097 - Pages: 5
...Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most frequent causes of dementia (weak-mindedness) at elderly and senile age. Dementia is characterized by the expressed decline of intellectual functions of the person with ability disorders of surrounding conditions and independent actions. The disease is called by the name of A. Alzheimer, who described this form of illness in 1906. In the absence of treatment the disease steadily progresses and leads to the destruction of all mental functions. The etiologies of Alzheimer’s disease are not finally found out. There is a lot of data, testifying to the hereditary nature of the disease. However, there are the cases not caused by the hereditary predisposition, especially at later onset of the disease. Alzheimer’s disease can begin after the age of 50, but more often arises after 70 and especially after 80. Alzheimer’s disease is the disease connected with the destruction of brain cells and leading to a heavy frustration of memory, intelligence, other cognitive functions, and also to serious problems in emotional and behavioral spheres. “Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It now afflicts nearly 4 million Americans. These numbers are expected to increase dramatically as the U.S. population ages. By the year 2050 approximately 14.5 million people will suffer from Alzheimer’s disease” (Handy: 1998) Alzheimer’s disease is insidious and develops gradually. It affects not old and full of strength people. The first signs of disease...
Words: 899 - Pages: 4
...Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most frequent causes of dementia (weak-mindedness) at elderly and senile age. Dementia is characterized by the expressed decline of intellectual functions of the person with ability disorders of surrounding conditions and independent actions. The disease is called by the name of A. Alzheimer, who described this form of illness in 1906. In the absence of treatment the disease steadily progresses and leads to the destruction of all mental functions. The etiologies of Alzheimer’s disease are not finally found out. There is a lot of data, testifying to the hereditary nature of the disease. However, there are the cases not caused by the hereditary predisposition, especially at later onset of the disease. Alzheimer’s disease can begin after the age of 50, but more often arises after 70 and especially after 80. Alzheimer’s disease is the disease connected with the destruction of brain cells and leading to a heavy frustration of memory, intelligence, other cognitive functions, and also to serious problems in emotional and behavioral spheres. “Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It now afflicts nearly 4 million Americans. These numbers are expected to increase dramatically as the U.S. population ages. By the year 2050 approximately 14.5 million people will suffer from Alzheimer’s disease” (Handy: 1998) Alzheimer’s disease is insidious and develops gradually. It affects not old and full of strength people. The first signs of disease...
Words: 898 - Pages: 4
...Cierra Myers Comp 1 3-26-14 According to an article titled “Methods Based on Speech Analysis Oriented to Automatic Alzheimer Disease Diagnosis”, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia among elderly people in Western countries and it has a large socioeconomic cost to society which is expected to increase in the near future”. There are a lot of things that people do to try and fight Alzheimer’s and usually they come up short. At this point in time Alzheimer’s is a disease that doesn’t have a cure. There is a lot of research and experiments happening to try and develop something for it. Alzheimer’s is said to be very high costly. Which is true, you have to pay for hospitals, nurses, homes, medicines and everything else eventually adds up. People don’t realize the effect the disease has on not only the person with it but the family as well. Growing up my family was extremely close. Every Sunday all the kids would go to Sunday school and church with my grandfather. While we were at Sunday school my great grandmother was cooking, she would always cook the same thing, breakfast tacos and tamales. Everyone in the family would come over and eat with us. After Sunday school my grandfather would meet all the kids at the church and sit through the service with us. Being a little kid we really didn’t want to sit through church for an hour, so all the kids knew if our parents didn’t show up and it was just grandpa we were leaving church early. When we arrived back...
Words: 1142 - Pages: 5
...Unit 33 LEARNING OUTCOME 1 1.1 DESCRIBE THE RANGE OF CAUSES OF DEMENTIA SYNDROME There are many different types of dementia: Alzheimer’s which is usually found in people over the age of 65 (extract from mayo clinic}Although in most cases the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease isn't known, plaques and tangles are often found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. Plaques are clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid, and tangles are fibrous tangles made up of tau protein. Certain genetic factors also may make it more likely that people will develop Alzheimer's. Vascular dementia which is the second most common form of dementia which is caused by reduced blood flow or blocked blood vessels or even a infection of a heart valve (vascular condition. Lewy body dementia which is caused from abnormal clumps of protein that have been found in the brains of people with Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. (Extract from mayo clinic} Frontotemporal dementia (Formally known as picks disease) is caused by break down of the nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain which controls behaviours, language, thinking and concentration as well as movement. Korsakoffs syndrome Korsakoff's syndrome is a brain disorder usually associated with heavy alcoholconsumption over a long period. Although Korsakoff's syndrome is not strictly speaking adementia, people with the condition experience loss of short-term memory. This factsheet outlines the...
Words: 2947 - Pages: 12
...Dementia is progressive deterioration in intellectual function and other cognitive skills, leading to a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living. Diagnosis is by history and physical examination. Potentially reversible causes of cognitive impairment (e.g., drugs, delirium, and depression) should be excluded. Treatment is with general measures and usually a cholinesterase inhibitor, memantine, or both (Lichtenberg, et al., 2003). The term 'dementia' is used to describe the symptoms of cognitive decline and normal sensorium that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, stroke and many other rarer conditions. Dementia is not a disease itself but rather a group of symptoms that may accompany certain diseases or conditions. At this time, dementia is irreversible when caused by disease or injury but may be reversible when caused by drugs, alcohol, hormone or vitamin imbalances, or depression. The symptoms of dementia include loss of memory, confusion, and problems with speech and understanding. There is also the loss of intellectual functions (such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning) of sufficient severity to interfere with a person’s daily functioning. Symptoms may also include changes in personality, mood, and behavior. Dementia is also progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. Each person is unique and will experience dementia in their own way, including how fast...
Words: 2560 - Pages: 11
...The Devastation of Dementia: Pathophysiology and Case Study Introduction Relatively little is known about dementia, a disease which affects over 35 million people worldwide (Norton, et al., 2012). Early signs and symptoms may be confused with the “normal” aging process. Those with the disease often try to cover up their mental decline in the early stages, making early diagnosis even more difficult. Educating the medical community and the general population about the signs, symptoms and causes of dementia is an important step in seeking out a cure for this fatal disease. Dementia is a general term for a syndrome that is progressive in nature and is marked by deterioration in cognitive function that is greater than what would normally be expected. There are many types of dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease accounts for over 60% of the cases of dementia. Vascular Dementia is the second most common form. Others include Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinsonian Dementia, and Frontotemporal Dementia. There is no cure for any type of dementia, although there are treatments that help lessen the symptoms. Dementia is a progressive disorder and always results in death, either from complications such as falls" or pneumonia or the dementia itself. The number of people with dementia worldwide is expected to reach over 115 million by the year 2050. The current cost of treating dementia is over 1.5 times that of all cancers combined (Hurd...
Words: 2319 - Pages: 10
...Alzheimer’s disease, discussing the history, symptoms, diagnosis and hopes for a cure of the disease. Alzheimer’s Disease: Not Just Loss of Memory Introduction Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative brain disease, is the most common cause of dementia. It currently afflicts about 4 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of mental impairment in elderly people and accounts for a large percentage of admissions to assisted living homes, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, have been reported in a large proportion of patients with this disease. In fact, it is the presence of these psychotic symptoms can lead to early institutionalization (Bassiony, et all, 2000). Learning about Alzheimer’s disease and realizing that it is much more that just a loss of memory can benefit the families of those with the disorder as well as society as a whole. The purpose of this paper is to look at the disorder, as well as to discuss the history, symptoms, diagnosis and hopes of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. History Around the turn of the century, two kinds of dementia were defined by Emil Kraepin: senile and presenile. The presenile form was described more in detail by Alois Alzheimer as a progressive deterioration of intellect, memory and orientation. As a neuropathologist, Alzheimer studied the case a 51 year-old woman...
Words: 2453 - Pages: 10
...Alzheimer’s Disease: Not Just Loss of Memory Introduction Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative brain disease, is the most common cause of dementia. It currently afflicts about 4 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of mental impairment in elderly people and accounts for a large percentage of admissions to assisted living homes, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, have been reported in a large proportion of patients with this disease. In fact, it is the presence of these psychotic symptoms can lead to early institutionalization (Bassiony, et all, 2000). Learning about Alzheimer’s disease and realizing that it is much more that just a loss of memory can benefit the families of those with the disorder as well as society as a whole. The purpose of this paper is to look at the disorder, as well as to discuss the history, symptoms, diagnosis and hopes of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. History Around the turn of the century, two kinds of dementia were defined by Emil Kraepin: senile and presenile. The presenile form was described more in detail by Alois Alzheimer as a progressive deterioration of intellect, memory and orientation. As a neuropathologist, Alzheimer studied the case a 51 year-old woman. When she died, Alzheimer performed an autopsy and found that she had “cerebral atrophy”...
Words: 2422 - Pages: 10
...There are seven different stages of Alzheimer’s the during stage 1 (No Impairment), Alzheimer’s disease is not detectable and no memory problems or other symptoms of dementia are evident. Stage 2 is (Very Mild Decline), the senior may notice minor memory problems or lose things around the house, although not to the point where the memory loss can easily be distinguished from normal age related memory loss. The person will still do well on memory tests and the disease is unlikely to be detected by physicians or loved ones. Stage 3 (Mild Decline) At this stage, the friends and family members of the senior may begin to notice memory and cognitive problems. Performance on memory and cognitive tests are affected and physicians will be able to detect...
Words: 378 - Pages: 2
