ALZHIEMERS DISEASE… “A journey of caring”

1. ALZHIEMERS DISEASE…“A journey of caring”

2. ALZHEIMERS DISEASE • ALZHEIMERS DISEASE IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF DEMENTIA IN ELDERLY • ALZHEIMER’S IS PREDICTED TO AFFECT 1 IN 85 PEOPLE GLOBALLY BY 2050 • AD EXERTS A HEAVY EMOTIONAL TOLL ON FAMILY MEMBERS

3. RISK FACTORS • OLD AGE • APPRX. 10% OF ALL PERSONS AGE >70 HAVE SIGNIFICANT MEMORY LOSS,IN WHICH MORE THAN HALF OF THE CASES IS DUE TO ALZHEIMERS DISEASE

4. RISK FACTORS contd.. • POSITIVE FAMILY HISTORY • PAST HISTORY OF HEAD TRAUMA

5. POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS SMOKING HYPERTENSION LESS EXCERCISE LESS VEGTABLE & FRUITS IN DIET

6. CAUSES • SCIENTISTS DON’T YET FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT CAUSES AD, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT IT DEVELOPS BECAUSE OF A COMPLEX SERIES OF EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN THE BRAIN OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

7. CAUSES CONT.. GENETIC FACTORS LIFESTYLE FACTORS • ENVIROMENTAL • FACTORS

8. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS • FORGETFULNESS • SLOWLY IT BEGINS TO INTERFERE WITH DAILY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS DRIVING,HOUSE KEEPING,KEEPING TRACK OF FINANCES ETC.

9. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS contd.. • IN EARLY STAGE,MEMORY LOSS MAY GO UNNOTICED.IT MAY BE ASCRIBED TO BENIGN FORGETFULNESS • PATIENT MAY BECOME LOST ON WALKS OR WHILE DRIVING • HELP IS NEEDED WITH EATING, DRESSING, TOILETING ETC.

10. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS contd.. • IN LATER STAGES OF AD PATIENT MAY BECOME RIGID,MUTE,INCONTINENT AND BEDRIDDEN • SOCIAL GRACES,ROUTINE BEHAVIOUR,SUPERFICIAL CONVERSATION MAY BE SURPRISINGLY INTACT IN EARLY STAGE

11. WHEN TO GET HELP ? • INCREASE IN FREQUENCY OF MEMRY LOSS • DIFFICULTY IN SIMPLE CALCULATION,CLOCK READING ETC

12. WHEN TO GET HELP? • TROUBLE PERFORMING LEARNED SIMPLE SKILLS LIKE DRESSING,EATING WALKING ETC • SLEEP-WAKE PATTERN DISORIENTED,NIGHT TIME WANDERING • SIMPLE DELUSIONS LIKE THE THEMES OF THEFT,INFIDELITY,MISIDENTIFICATION

13. TREATMENT • ALTHOUGH THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WAY TO CURE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, RESEARCHERS ARE MAKING ENCOURAGING ADVANCES IN ALZHEIMER'S TREATMENT, INCLUDING MEDICATIONS AND NON-DRUG APPROACHES TO IMPROVE SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT. • PROPER CARE AND SUPPORT IS REQUIRED FROM FAMILY • ALTHOUGH MEDICATIONS CANNOT CURE OR STOP THE PROGRESS OF AD,IT CAN DELAY THE PROGRESS.

14. ROLE OF FAMILY • FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD EMPHASIZE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE PLEASANT & CURTAIL THOSE THAT ARE UNPLEASANT • KITCHEN,BATHROOM,BEDROOM & STAIRWAY NEED TO BE MADE SAFE.EVENTUALLY PATIENT SHOULD STOP DRIVING

15. ROLE OF FAMILY • COMMUNICATION AND REPEATED CALM REASSURANCE ARE NECESSARY • APPOINT A CARE GIVER IF NECESSARY • USE OF ADULT DAY CARE CENTRE MAY BE USEFUL • KEEP TAB ON THE MEDICTION

16. WHAT NOT TO DO? • PRACTISING SKILL THAT HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT SUCH AS THROUGH MEMORY GAMES AND PUZZLES WILL OFTEN FRUSTATE AND DEPRESS THE PATIENT WITH OUT PROVEN BENEFIT • LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE AND CHANGE OF ENVIROMENT MAY WORSEN CONFUSION AND MAY AGITATE AND ANGER THE PATIENT

17. “WORLD ALZHEIMERS DAY”

18. ANY QUESTIONS???

19. THANK YOU