chapter 19 - Alzheimer's disease

dementia (common causes)

Alzheimer's disease Multi-infarct or vascular dementia (a series of strokes causing damage to the brain) Lewy body dementia (abnormal structures, called Lewy bodies, develop in areas of the brain, causing a variety of symptoms) Parkinson's disease Huntington's disease (an inherited disease that causes certain nerve cells in the brain to waste away)

confusion (causes)

UTI's low blood sugar head trauma or injury dehydration nutritional problems fever drop in body temperature lack of oxygen medications infections brain tumor illness loss of sleep seizures

Alzheimer's disease

a progressive, incurable disease that causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, which eventually cause dementia.

delirium

a state of severe confusion that occurs suddenly; it is usually temporary.

delirium (symptoms)

agitation anger depression irritability disorientation trouble focusing problems with speech changes in sensation/perception changes in consciousness decrease in short-term memory

confusion (guidelines)

do not leave resident alone stay calm + provide quiet environment speak in a lower tone of voice, clearly + slowly introduce yourself each time you see the resident remind resident of their location, name, and the date explain what you do before you do it do not rush the resident talk to residents about plans for the day. keep a routine encourage use of eyeglasses and hearing aids. make sure they are clean + undamaged promote self-care + independence report observations to the nurse

Alzheimer's disease (how to work with them)

do not take things personally put yourself in their shoes work w/ the symptoms and behaviors that you see work as a team take care of yourself work with family members remember the goals of the resident care plan

Alzheimer's disease (facts)

is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly women are more likely to get this risk increases with age this is progressive, degenerative, and irreversible tangled nerve fibers + protein deposits in the brain cause dementia cause of this is unknown and difficult to diagnose length of time between onset and death can range from 3-20 years each person shows different signs at different times

onset

in medicine, the first appearance of the signs or symptoms of an illness.

delirium (causes)

infections disease fluid imbalances poor nutrition drugs alcohol

dementia (how a diagnosis is made)

look at patient's medical history + have a physical + neurological exam blood tests and imaging tests (like MRI and CT scans) EEG (tracing brain wave activity)

normal changes of aging

lose some ability to think logically and clearly may lose memory of recent events reaction time may slow and harder to find the right words sleep less (encourage them to make lists and write down important information)

cognitive impairment

loss of ability to think logically; concentration and memory are affected.

confusion (about)

interferes with abilities to make decisions personality may change anger, depression, and irritability are other signs can be temporary or permanent

progressive

something that continually gets worse or deteriorates.

degenerative

something that continually gets worse.

Alzheimer's disease (stages)

stage 1 - no impairment stage 2 - very mild decline stage 3 - mild decline stage 4 - moderate decline stage 5 - moderately severe decline stage 6 - severe decline stage 7 - very severe decline

cognition

the ability to think logically and quickly

confusion

the inability to think clearly.

dementia

the serious loss of mental abilities, such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communicating. NOT a normal part of aging

irreversible

unable to be reserved or returned to original state; incurable