Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type - Literature review Example

?LITERATURE REVIEW AND RESEARCH PROPOSAL Introduction Alzheimer’s disease is a neurologic disease that is progressive in the brain that leads to irreversible neurons and intellectual losses which include the loss of reasoning and memory. The condition worsens eventually leading to the impediment of occupational and social functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is also referred to as Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT) or simpler Alzheimer’s. The disease is a progressive disease the normally gets worse as it progresses. To date there is no known cure for the disease even though there are various methods which slow down its advance and thus assists the patients in relieving some of the signs. It is a terminal disease which incurable and leads to death (Innes, Kelly and McCabe, 2012, p. 104). Extra intervention of a dietician and an occupational therapist will ultimately maintain a healthy body mass index and improve quality of life, depression and dyskinesia in the patient with Alzheimer’s disease. This literature review and research paper will take a deep comprehensive study on the vital important role that the dieticians and the occupational therapist play in the slowing down on the effects and symptoms of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (Small and Vorgan, 2011, p. 124). This paper summarizes the specific approaches to the maintenance of a healthy body mass index in the patient whereas taking into consideration the other aspects of good health which include improvement of the quality of life, significant reduction of depression and dyskinesia (McDonald, 2010, p. 32). This paper will take into account the world-class recommendations that a dietician will highly recommend regarding certain foods which the Alzheimer’s patient will eat so that the symptoms of the disease are significantly reduced (Pulsford and Thompson, 2012, p. 129). Notable recommendations will also be highlighted regarding the advice that an occupational therapist would outmost recommend to the patient. A detailed overview on what the patient should do to reduce these symptoms are noted whereas providing very valuable advice on how the patients health will improve taking in to consideration the patient’s body mass index, superior life quality and an overall reduction in depression and dyskinesia (Downs and Bowers, 2008, p. 58). Literature Review Alzheimer’s disease has in the recent past turned out to be a widespread dementia complication among old people in the society. As defined, Alzheimer’s disease is the general loss of cognitive functioning which includes reduced reasoning, remembering, and thinking ability. Alzheimer’s disease is also presumed to be an irreversible and a progressive brain disorder which minimises thinking and memory skills. Moreover, recent researches have also confirmed that, long term existence of Alzheimer’s disease may as well reduce individuals’ ability to carry out some of the simplest jobs (Basak, Boot, Kraemer and Voss 2008, p. 777). Based on the available statistics, Alzheimer’s disease is in most cases apparent among people who are above 60 years of age. Compared to traditional society, contemporary societies have witnessed significant increased in cases of Alzheimer’s disease (Vance, McNees and Meneses, 2009, p. 51). In the extreme cases, Alzheimer’s disease is as well affecting young people. The side effects and magnitude of Alzheimer’s disease is with time turning out to be very severe and in some cases Alzheimer’s disease has reported to cause deaths. The contemporary nature and side effects of Alzheimer’s disease have forced health researchers and thinkers to undertake intensive researches to identify the main cause of the disease as well as the most cost effective and efficiency means of dealing with the problem (Ziere, Dieleman, Hofman, Pols, Cammen and Stricker, 2007, p. 223). The subsequent literature review is intended at examining how the extra intervention of a dietician and occupational therapist will maintain a healthy body mass index and improve quality of life, depression and dyskinesia in the patient with Alzheimer's disease. The literature review will search its information by relying on the key words such as healthy body mass index, quality of life, depression and dyskinesia Based on the available statistics and research findings, dieticians have an incredibly essential role in the maintenance of a healthy body mass among Alzheimer's disease victims. As defined, body mass index is the estimated human body fat in references to individual height and weight. In most cases, old people who are affected by Alzheimer's disease have high amount of fat in their body compared to their height and weight. High fat in the body interferes with individual activities and operations (Thighpen, Light, Creel, 2009, p. 1175). Recent studies have also confirmed that, high level of fat in the body significantly interferes with the recovery process of any disease. Therefore, to achieve the best outcome in the Alzheimer's disease recovery process, the involvement of dietician is extremely essential and inevitable. As defined, dieticians are qualified healthcare professionals who have the mandate of assessing, diagnosing, and treating of any form of nutrition complications including weight loss and excessive increase in body weight which results to complications such diabetes. Dieticians can be involved either on individuals’ levels or in a larger public level. Therefore, taking into account the role of balanced diet in recovery process, the involvement of dieticians have over years proved to be very effective and necessary (Yamada, Aoyama, Nakamura, Tanaka, Nagai 2011, p.193) To achieve the best outcome in helping Alzheimer's disease patients in improving their health complications, dieticians are expected to undertake extensive researches which will help in the identification of the most effective means of dealing Alzheimer's disease. Scientific researches on health, food, and diseases are therefore the core role of dieticians in addressing Alzheimer's disease. Recent researches have also confirmed that, dieticians have a leadership role in improving the quality of life among Alzheimer's disease patients. According to their professional code of ethics, dieticians are expected to rely on international and national guidelines to improve the lives of Alzheimer's disease patients. In addressing the nutrition complications which are apparent among Alzheimer's disease patients, dieticians are as well expected to use person-centred approach to examine the possibility of social complications and assess individual requirement. After the identification of the problem, dietician is as well expected to recommend the most effective means of fulfilling the identified requirements. Moreover, it is the role of dieticians to provide the most appropriate diet which can provide optimal nutrition in order to improve the patients’ quality of life (Whitney, Marchetti, Morris and Sparto, 2007, p. 99). To improve the quality of life among Alzheimer's disease patients, findings from recent researches have also confirmed that, dieticians have a core role of preventing malnutrition among the affected victims (Shumway-Cook, Brauer and Woollcott 2009, p. 897). Dieticians helps in the prevention of malnutrition by conducting consistent screening to detect possibilities of health risks as well as offering adequate education to the affected victims on the importance of taking balanced diet. Training of other health professionals on the significant of balanced diet is also importance in improving the living standards of the affected people. Moreover, the involvement of dieticians in the formulation of policies and regulations to prevent and manage malnutrition in the local, international and national level is also very important and essential in the improvement of living standards of Alzheimer's disease victims (Ashburn, Harris, Hyndman, Pickering and Yardley, 2008, p. 271). The improvement of the quality of living among Alzheimer's disease victims is also associated with the introduction of various nutritional therapies. It is therefore the role of dieticians to identify and implement the most effective mechanism that can significantly improve the clients’ living standards. Dieticians have a responsibility of facilitating effective transition from one therapy to another. By providing appropriate diet, nutritional therapy is can be a safe and very effective means of improving the living conditions of Alzheimer's disease patients (Gallagher, 2010, p. 101). A part from the specific role of dieticians, occupational therapists have a very essential role in countering depression and dyskinesia among Alzheimer's disease patients. As defined, occupational therapists are professionals who have the mandate of offering occupational therapy to needy patients. Despite offering occupational therapy, occupational therapists have a role of working with the client to help them acquired satisfied state of affairs in their lives (Asher 2007, p. 91). Occupational therapists employ purposeful practices to help in the promotion of patients’ health and prevent any form of disabilities and injuries. Apart from using occupational therapy, occupational therapists also uses occupational performance model to address depression and dyskinesia among the Alzheimer's disease victims (Good-Fratturelli, Curlee and Holle, 2000, p. 97). Depression is defined as an aversion to activities as well as state of low mood. Depression has a severe impact on Alzheimer's disease patients’ physical wellbeing, feelings, behaviours, and thoughts. In most cases, depressed people are associated with traits such as restlessness, irritability, helplessness, sad, anxiety, and hopelessness. Alzheimer's disease patient loses interests in various activities. Some of the clinical complications which is associated with depression include: digestive complications, pains, insomnia, loss of energy as well as fatigue (Belafsky, Mouadeb, Rees, Pryor, Postma, Allen and Leonard, 2008, p. 924) Taking into account the severe complications which are associated with depression, several researches have so far been conducted to examine the role of occupational therapists in reducing the impact of depression among Alzheimer's disease victims. Based on the available literature, occupational therapists have a role of improving the ability of Alzheimer's disease victims to undertake their daily activities in order to reduce stress which is associated with physical inability (Williams, Doherty, Bender, Mattox and Tibbs, 2011, p. 131). Researchers have also proved that, occupational therapists have a significant role in helping Alzheimer's disease patients to recover from depression related complications. Despite the prevention responsibilities, occupational therapists should also have an essential role improving the basic reasoning capacities as well as in improving the affected patients’ motor functions. It is also the role of occupational therapists to help client recover from permanent loss of functions. Moreover, occupational therapist also helps in the improvement of physical health of the affected patient (Stolze, Klebe, Zechlin, Baecker, Friege and Deuschl, 2007, p. 79). With reference to the available facts, dyskinesia is operationally defined as constant movement of disorder which results to severe impacts in human health. Dyskinesia can range from slight tremor to uncontrollable movement. Dyskinesia complication is very common among old people who are affected by Alzheimer's disease. This disorder is also associated with the high level of demise which is caused by Alzheimer's disease. However, in the last few years, occupational therapists have adopted very effective means of addressing the impact of dyskinesia among Alzheimer's disease victims. Despite offering psychological support to the affected patients, occupational therapists also offers other forms of support including material support as well as technical support (O’Sullivan, 2007, p. 67). Based on the available statistics, it is clear that, occupational therapists and dieticians have a very essential role in maintaining the healthy body mass index, improving quality of life, reducing depression as well as addressing dyskinesia complications among Alzheimer's disease. However, a part from the identified role, more researches ought to be done to identify how the role of both dieticians and occupational therapists can be incorporate at the initial stage of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatments. More information is needed to holistically address all complications that are associated with Alzheimer's disease among old people. Research Proposal According to Kasl-Godley and Gatz (2000, p. 74), it is evident that Alzheimer’s disease that is primarily associated with memory loss can be very tragic. Memories are vital in defining our relationships, experiences and ourselves. The loss of all these can cause personality changes and at the extreme the loss of self in a person. Day to day tasks are a challenge due to memory loss whereas people’s names, past events, location, items and other essentials can have severe consequences to a person. Ultimately, when such capabilities degenerate, the person’s independence also follows suit whereby the person relies on others for forgotten things. This leads to patients with Alzheimer’s to suffer from high levels of grief, depression, and frustration and fear (Alder, 2009, p. 147). This paper proposes the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in facilitating and enhancing the manipulation, creation, and presentation of retrospective life histories. It will also assess agitated behaviours and the individuals’ moods throughout the project. The research will study the special impacts on personalized video- taped retrospective life histories will have on patients with Alzheimer’s. Video intervention diminishes problematic behaviours through reinforcing the patients’ positive self-identity. Family member and caretakers take part in editing, viewing and filming of the videos. The videos use auditory stimuli and visual that includes props and themes representing retrospective memories. Agitated behaviour and the patients moods are evaluate which is the key objective of the project (Marziali, 2002). A multimedia platform will be incorporated in the project in order to facilitate and enhance the presentation, manipulation and creation of the intended retrospective life histories. The paramount objective here is to evidently study the interaction nature of the Alzheimer’s patient with the multimedia biography. This paper hypothesizes that this research task on multimedia biographies will ultimately enhance the well-being of the research participants while providing notable knowledge regarding the human-computer interaction nature on patients of Alzheimer’s disease (Barker and Board, 2012, p. 143). Methodology To pursue this noble project, Phase 1 will start with observations of various participants who will range from a severe, moderate, and mild Alzheimer’s disease populations. A number of observations will include caregivers and families interaction as well as evaluating the possible themes and content which will enhance the patients’ sense of self. Also the observations will include a qualitative analysis of patients that will benefit the most from the interactive biography system (Barker and Board, 2012, p. 84). The analysis centre of attention will study three to five specific patients who indeed have the capability potential to interact with the projects multimedia system. Data will be collected from the film content, family members and edit the non-interactive biographies. There will also be piloting of the biographies whereby each patient will be observed while watching the video. Various observations will be projected towards possible interactions and initial reactions in order to implement the interactive multimedia content (Marziali, 2002). Phase 2 will consist of the execution of the interactive components in the biographies. A longitudinal study will then follow and within several months, the participants will eventually view the interactive multimedia biographies. The videos will be watched a number of times in a week whereas researchers will observe participants in this activity once per week. A CD will be produced containing the final content. The internet will also be used. The CD and the internet production will be watched by the families, caregivers, and the patients (Marziali, 2002, p. 53). Analysis of Results An evaluation on the impact of watching the multimedia family histories on the patients will be carried out. Particularly, there will be a comprehensive investigation on whether reinforcing and recollecting memories of the patients and history on the family can have outmost beneficial effects. Also the effects will be investigated to show if the videos bring a sense of joy or well-being to the patient as well as the whole family and if there is a reduction or calming of disruptive behaviour on the patient with Alzheimer’s disease (Qizilbash, 2007, p. 67). The research will also analyze the interaction nature of a patient with the multimedia biography. This will include studying the limiting factors of an Alzheimer’s patient being able to interrelate with the system. The other interesting observation will be to comprehensively understand the patients’ interaction with the system and if there is a correlation to stimulation effects which are positive. This project adequately provides a number of interventions that are accessible to Alzheimer’s families both present and in the future. This is made possible through the shared recollection of past histories in order to assist the patient with Alzheimer’s disease to restore memory (Chang & Johnson, 2008, p. 29). This proposal can be combined with the other mentioned methods herein so that the results can more productive. The proposal if combined with the valuable advice of both the dietician and the occupational therapist will have a life-changing response (Lewis, 2010, p. 24). The overall results when combined would be very beneficial to the patient with Alzheimer’s disease. The main objective is to reduce the effects and symptoms of the Alzheimer’s disease on a patient and therefore this proposal will eventually lead to positive memory recovery to the patient. The end results will be a healthy body mass index, an improved quality of life, reduction of depression and dyskinesia in the patient with Alzheimer’s disease (Gauthier, 2007, p. 41). Conclusion There are no drugs, pills or treatment that can prevent the Alzheimer’s disease. The paramount solution is in having adequate knowledge on the various steps taken in reducing the risk and symptoms of the disease. These include eating a healthy balanced diet which assists in maintaining an overall good health. Lowering homocysteine, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also very paramount as well as controlling diabetes. Regular exercise and engaging in various activities that are stimulating to the mind will also reduce both the risk and symptoms of the Alzheimer’s disease (Loveday, 2012, p. 124). The valuable advice on the healthy diet as directed by the dietician has to be followed to the letter. The occupational therapist is also vital in enhancing the healthy body mass index. A healthy body evidently translates to a healthy mind as well as an improved quality of life that has less depression and dyskinesia in the patient with Alzheimer’s disease (Innes & McCabe, 2006, p. 71). The proposed research herein also proposes further research in the nursing knowledge. It is very effective and its impact on the patients will be highly commendable. The proposed research will ensure that patients adequately recover from memory loss therefore enhancing the patient’s safety and quality improvement. 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