Alzheimers Disease as a Dementia - Essay Example

Dementia Dementia is basically the condition in which an individual experiences the gradual loss of social, as well as intellectual activities. For many years in the past, it was merely referred to as senility. In many societies around the world, there was the presumption that the loss of memory is something that came with old age. Physicians did not suspect that dementia was brought about by certain underlying circumstances. People who are affected by Dementia have to be assisted to carry out ordinary, everyday tasks. There are different varieties of dementia, all of which have different causes. A common kind of dementia is the Alzheimer’s disease. In this type of dementia, there is a build-up of damaged tissue within the brain, and the subsequent emergence of ‘tangles’ or ‘plaques’ which result in the death of brain cells. This plaque also negatively affects brain chemicals which are responsible for carrying messages between different cells situated in the brain. Alzheimer’s can cause the complete breakdown of memory in sufferers. Another type of dementia is vascular dementia. This strain causes blockages in blood supply to the brain, and can cause a stroke due to the fact that the blockages force the brain to experience oxygen starvation. People who have high risk habits such as smoking are more likely to suffer from vascular dementia.  Lewy body dementia is yet another kind of dementia. In this particular disease, lewy bodies, or protein deposits, cause blockages in the brain when they accumulate in different spots. Fronto-temporal dementia impacts the front of the human brain, and is more prevalent in middle aged adults who are between 50 and 65 years of age. Mixed dementia, another kind of dementia, is descriptive of the condition in which an individual suffers from one or more kinds of dementia. Another common type of dementia is Parkinson’s disease. People suffering from this strain will exhibit symptoms such as problems with movement, and constant trembling. This is caused by alpha-synuclein clumps developing within the brain, and bringing about the gradual degeneration of the brain’s nerve cells. Huntington’s disease is yet another strain that results in a significant decline in intellectual activity. Alzheimer’s dementia is usually defined along two dimensions- the cortical and age levels. In regards to age, there is pre-senile and senile dementia. People who develop symptoms of dementia from their mid 60s can be said to have experienced senile dementia. The term re-senile dementia is used to describe people who exhibit symptoms of dementia even before they reach that advanced age bracket. According to McGilton (2004) the chance of exhibiting the symptoms of dementia is something that increases as one grows older. According to Kovach, Kelber, and Simpson (2006), more than 3.5 million Americans who have reached their middle ages suffer from some type of dementia. The most basic indication of dementia is memory loss. Alzheimer’s dementia, if left untreated, progresses slowly over a number of months, or even years. In sufferers of dementia, the symptom of memory loss may even grow worse at night. Once affected by Alzheimer’s dementia, a person’s short-term memory is the first to be severely affected. The affected person may not be able to remember the names of relatives, friends, and even familiar objects (Roberts and Wolfson 2004). This will result in the loss of his or her ability to be able to make serious plans. This then results in the individual being plagued by fears, and even paranoia. The loss of all long term as well as short-term memory will eventually result in the affected individual coping out of daily normal life, and becoming bedridden. There are many past cases where Alzheimer’s has been mistaken with delirium, or even mental retardation. It is a recognised fact that people who suffer from Alzheimer’s, and subsequently, major depression, could appear to be dealing with a serious intellectual issue. The gradual deterioration of brain facets such as cells, or nerves often results in different behavioral changes. When sufferers are first afflicted by Alzheimer’s, they tend to remove themselves from public settings in order to reduce the chances of them suffering from a loss of memory when in dangerous circumstances. They may keep from actively participating in social engagements, and even exhibit a definite lack of initiative to participate in life as other people do. Sufferers of Alzheimer’s do this because they are embarrassed about their inability to remember things. They may also fear that others will interpret their lack of memory as a lack of intelligence. As they experience more symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such patients will start to grow more agitated about the general direction of their lives. They may exhibit misconceptions, such as the failure to distinguish real people from those that they see in television programs. This makes them unable to contain their verbal aggression, because they are constantly being viewed with bewilderment and shock by others who realise that there is something wrong with their intellectual capacity. The aim of treatment, where a disease like Alzheimer’s is concerned, is to keep the symptoms of the disease under control. When the sufferer is first hit with the true implication of what is happening to his or her life, there may be a need for hospitalization, because of effect of the emotional impact he or she suffers. The best way to treat Alzheimer’s is by identifying and treating the underlying symptoms. There could be different underlying causes- some of which include hormonal, drug-related, smoking-related, nutritional, or tumour-related causes. Caring for individuals who have been affected by symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be very challenging. This is why so many people prefer to use trained personnel to look after their loved ones. The victim has to learn to live with cognitive limitations, even as other people around him or her make changes so as to be able to look after his needs on a more regular basis. Where Alzheimers is concerned, the sufferer will eventually grow to be completely dependent on others for even the most basic personal needs. According to OConnor, Ames, Gardner, and King (2009) Alzheimer’s symptoms can be controlled, to some extent, by means of medications, psychotherapy, or even certain changes being made to one’s environment. Once the patient embarks on treatment, it may be necessary for him or her to be accompanied by a helper. This is because sufferers often suffer from forgetfulness. If they have prescriptions that have to be taken several times during the day, they may forget when to take them, or how often they have taken them. In terms of psychotherapy, behavioural approaches can be employed to lessen the frequency of the negative behaviours that are being exhibited. In regards to medicines, there are different prescriptions that are used to treat the people with Alzheimer’s. Donepezil and Tacrine, for example, are drugs that are usually used to treat Alzheimer’s. Such drugs support the collapse of acetylcholine, thus providing some level of advancement in terms of cognitive skills. When patients experience delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations, they may benefit from prescriptions like risperidone, haloperidol, clozapine, and chlorpromazine. In some cases, doctors may even recommend electroconvulsive therapy in the cases of patients who have serious Alzheimer’s-related problems, but are not responding to prescriptions. In many developed nations, the services that are provided for people suffering from Alzheimer’s are mainly centred on utilizing person-centred approaches in offering care. There are other institutions that are more focused on a recovery-based approach. Both approaches make it possible for elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer’s to make positive choices that will introduce positive aspects into their existences. Federal laws are supportive of policies that will support factors such as skilled care which tends to have a large public funding element through programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. According to Kerr & Cunningham (2004), state programs such as assisted living, have grown to be more regulated in state levels, in the past decade. According to Graff, Vernooij-Dassen, and Thijssen, (2006) many states operating on enforcement mechanisms for Alzheimer’s care have regulations that meet certain recommendations on the care of Alzheimer’s patients, as well as enforcement mechanisms for them. There are also organisations such as the Council of State Governments which work through educational programs to provide law-makers with viable care policy solutions that can be used by assorted states. Alzheimer’s is a condition that affects a person’s personality, as well as behaviour. The individual who suffers from Alzheimer’s will be plagued with short-term memory loss before the disease develops further. It has been stated that keeping mentally active can help in staving off Alzheimer’s Keeping mentally active can include participating in activities such as word games, word puzzles, and other types of mental exercises. According to Waldemar, Phung, and Burns (2007) doctors also often recommend that people should remain physically active even in the middle, and later ages, as this may delay the onset of symptoms of Alzheimer’s. It is also important to stop negative behaviour such as smoking, which generates the deterioration of vascular conditions. Consuming a balanced diet and lowering one’s blood pressure are other factors that reduce the chances of one developing Alzheimer’s. A person who is affected by Alzheimer’s is scared of what is happening to him or her most of the time. Episodes in which the individual loses memory become terrifying events that are dreaded by the person in question. He feels that he is completely losing control over his life, and this will naturally affect the emotions he exhibits, and the way that he interacts with other family members, as well as friends. For the family members, it can become extremely frustrating to deal with the person suffering from Alzheimer’s, because he is constantly scared, and frustrated (Teri, McKenzie, and LaFazia 2005). He may not understand why this is happening to him. He will also be frustrated when other people openly point out lapses in his thinking or memories, because there is nothing that he can do about this. According to Sheard (2008) cases in which Alzheimer’s sufferers experience full recoveries are rare. It is a recognised fact that there is no recognised treatment for Alzheimer’s. According to Teri, McKenzie, and LaFazia (2005) there are interactions between different factors such as the environment, hereditary factors, regular diet, and exercise, which increase the chances of people suffering from Alzheimer’s. There are psycho therapeutic approaches that champion the significance of maintaining individual personality in the process of encouraging recovery of a person affected by Alzheimer’s. Person-centred care caters to these types of concerns with the aim of improving the affected individual’s condition. It also stresses on the importance of forming, or maintaining relationships. According to Talerico, Miller, and Swaffor (2006) person centred care is particularly important when looking after patients with Alzheimer’s because their very condition undermines interconnectedness. In the past, people who were suffering from Alzheimer’s tended to be isolated from family members, as well as friends. According to Ferri, Prince, Brayne, Brodaty, Fratiglioni, and Ganguli (2005), this can result in the further deterioration of the affected person. Care-givers, therefore, have to create situations in which the sufferer can minimize his lethargy, or boredom, and look forward to living on a daily basis. It is also important for care-givers to create situations in which those who suffer from Alzheimer’s do not feel stigmatized. According to Bishara, Taylor, Howard, and Abdel-Tawab (2009) people with Alzheimer’s are overly conscious about their condition. This is why they will withdraw from society once they discover that they are experiencing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Exposing them to situations where they are forced to understand the full magnitude of their loss will only serve to further depress them. For those who suffer from Alzheimer’s, the loss of the being to communicate freely with others is extremely frustrating. For family members, the frustration comes when they are not able to understand the patient because he cannot express himself in an articulate manner (Rimmer, Wojciechowska, and Stave, 2005). In social settings, such lapses in communication can be particularly devastating. An individual who may have Alzheimer’s will not understand normal social cues such as when to answer a question, or when not to. He or she may brusquely interrupt others, and answer questions that were not asked. Naturally, this will make other people extremely uncomfortable; and they will express this by avoiding the patient. People who are affected by dementia even have problems in expressing their emotions at the right opportunity, and in the right manner (Hulme, Wright, and Crocker, 2010). This affects their ability to carry out social responsibilities in any context. There are different ways in which people suffering from Alzheimer’s can be assisted to communicate more effectively with others. In the first place, because such individuals are often elderly, it is important for care-givers to seek to ensure that their eyesight as well as hearing appliances are functioning properly. If necessary, they can be furnished with hearing aids, or even glasses. It is also important for people to be encouraged to be more tolerant of those experiencing Alzheimer’s by not showing signals of frustration at their inability to communicate effectively. Alzheimer’s sufferers quickly notice signals such as raised eyebrows, or sighs of frustration. It is an established fact that all human being retain their emotions, as well as feelings even in situations where they may not comprehend what is being expressed. This is why it is important for people experiencing Alzheimer’s to be treated with dignity at all times. Care-givers could also use non-verbal methods of communication like a gentle touch, when communicating with their charges. They could also use certain methods of communicating that could allow the patient to understand what is being said in any circumstance. For example, they could communicate using simple English expressed through short sentences. They could also allocate a lot of time for the patient to reply to them once they express themselves. When speaking or referring o other people, or objects, the caregivers could also use non-verbal gestures such as hand gestures, as well as facial expressions in order to identify exactly what they wish to express. This makes it easier for the patient to be able to understand what is being said. According to Aarsland, Sharp, and Ballard (2005), shared laughter, or a smile will communicate far more information than actual words ever could. When communicating with individuals affected by Alzheimer’s, it is also important to remove all background noises such as could be caused by television, computers, or radios, in order to make speech as audible as possible for the patient. It is also important for all people who communicate regularly with the person suffering from Alzheimer’s, such as family members and friends, to be encouraged to maintain regular practices in order to reduce the prospect of the patient suffering from complete memory loss on a regular basis. For the individual who suffers from Alzheimer’s, it is much less confusing when all people use the same method of communicating with him about different subjects. Alzheimer’s is a condition whose true causes are not well known. However, there are many ways through which people can seek to reduce the chances of it affecting them. Most of these include healthy lifestyle choices that contribute to a healthier physical body. In addition, there are intellectual activities that reduce one’s chances of developing Alzheimer’s in older ages. For sufferers, there are person-centred, as well as recovery-based methods of treatment that try to emphasize on an individual’s personality in order to reduce the chances of Alzheimer’s completely taking over an individual’s life. References Aarsland, D., Sharp, S. & Ballard, C. (2005) ‘Psychiatric and behavioural symptoms in Alzheimers disease and other dementias: etiology and management’, Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. vol. 5, pp. 345-354. Alzheimer’s Association. (2011) Under the microscope, viewed May 4, 2014 from . Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin. (2009) Types of dementia, viewed May 4, 2014 from . Bishara, D., Taylor, D., Howard, R.J. & Abdel-Tawab, R. (2009) ‘Expert opinion on the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and investigation into prescribing practices in the UK’, Int. J. Geriatr Psychiatry, vol. 24, pp. 944-954. Ferri, C.P., Prince, M., Brayne, C., Brodaty, H., Fratiglioni, L. & Ganguli, M. (2005) ‘Global prevalence of dementia: a Delphi consensus study’, Lancet, vol. 366, pp. 2112-2117. Graff, M.J., Vernooij-Dassen, M.J. & Thijssen, M. (2006) ‘Community based occupational therapy for patients with dementia and their care givers: randomized controlled trial’, BMJ, vol. 333, pp. 1196. Hulme, C., Wright, J. & Crocker, T. (2010) ‘Non-pharmacological approaches for dementia that informal carers may try or access: a systematic review’, Int. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry, vol. 25, pp. 756-763. Kerr, D. & Cunningham, C. (2004) ‘Finding the right response to people with Dementia’, Nursing and residential care, vol. 6, no.11, pp. 539-542. Kovach, C.R., Kelber, S. T. & Simpson, M. (2006) ‘Behaviours of nursing home residents with dementia: examining nurse responses’, J. Gerontol. Nurs., vol. 32, pp. 13-21. McGilton, K. (2004) ‘Relating well to persons with dementia: a variable influencing staffing and quality care outcome’, Alzheimers Care, vol. 5, pp. 53-71. Neef, D., & Walling, A. (2006) ‘Dementia with Lewy bodies: an emerging disease’, American Family Physician, viewed May 4, 2014 from . OConnor, D.W., Ames, D., Gardner, B. & King, M. (2009) ‘Psychosocial treatments of behaviour symptoms in dementia: a systematic review of reports meeting quality standards’, Int. Psychogeriatr, vol. 21, pp. 225-240. Rimmer, E., Wojciechowska, M. & Stave, C. (2005) ‘Implications of the ‘facing Dementia survey’ for the general population, patients and caregivers across Europe’, Int. J. Clin. Pract., vol. 59, no. 146, pp. 17-24. Roberts, G. & Wolfson, P. (2004) ‘The rediscovery of recovery: open to all’, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, vol. 10, pp. 37-48. Sheard, D. (2008) ‘Less doing, more being person-centred’, Journal of Dementia Care, vol. 16, pp. 15–17. Talerico, K.A., Miller, L.L. & Swaffor, K. (2006) ‘Psychosocial approaches to prevent and minimize pain in people with dementia during morning care’, Alzheimers Care, vol. 6, pp. 163-174. Teri, L., McKenzie, G. & LaFazia, D. (2005) ‘Psychosocial treatment of depression in older adults with dementia’, Clin. Psychol. Sci. Prac., vol. 12, pp. 303–316. Waldemar, G., Phung, K.T.T. & Burns, A. (2007) ‘Access to diagnostic evaluation and treatment for dementia in Europe’, Int. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry, vol. 22, pp. 47–54. APPENDIX ONE Figure showing the prevalence of different types of Dementia in the U.S. (Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin 2009) APPENDIX TWO Figure showing the difference between healthy brain cells and brain cells with Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Association 2011). APPENDIX THREE Figure showing the Symptoms of different types of Dementia (Neef and Walling 2006), viewed May 4, 2014 from . Read More