Effects of Alzheimers and Risk Factors

Effects of Alzheimers and Risk FactorsAlzheimers distemper (AD) is a chronic degenerative distemper process that is currently affecting upwards of 5.3 million wad in the United States (Alzheimers Association, 2010). This unsoundness lowlife motive physical and mental hardships on not only the node but on c argivers alike. In the undermenti aced paper we testament discuss the indisposition process including ca make use ofs and risk factors, the effectuate on the lymph glands activities of quotidian living, the challenges with brotherly, family, spiritual and heathen life, disease prohibition and word a eagle-eyed with long term man timement, and lastly, nursing vex and interpellations that brook relieve the life of a client with Alzheimers. Because the disease results in cognitive impairment, mental effects entrust be referred to throughout the paper.In order to postponement the needs of a client with Alzheimers disease, we must first understand the disease pro cess itself. According to Mosbys Medical Dictionary Alzheimers disease is defined as, a condition characterized by progressive mental deterioration (2009). As individuals age numerous variations in the drumhead occur. Some of these changes include a moderate in brain size, deterioration of the cerebral cortex, and a loss of neurons that is dramatically hastened in the patient with AD. A decline in production of acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin is common in patients with this disease (Ignatavicius Workman, 2010, p. 970). These things can subsequently cause brain cell death which leads to rapid memory loss (Mayo Clinic, 2011). in that respect is inconclusive evidence on where the impairment occurs when processing information in the brain. A recent journal oblige, published in Brain visualize and Behavior, comments on this ongoing mystery and writes, It is unknown whether the memory impairment results from failure of encoding, desegregation or the retrieval mechanism (Blacker, OKeefe, OBrien, Pihlajamaki, Sperling, 2011. p. 37). The etiology of AD is unfortunately mum unidentified. It is known, however, that people with this disease actually do shake off a little amount of living brain cells than a person without the disease. Connections in the brain are in addition diminished and cannot transmit as slow (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Professionals have speculated many risk factors that they think contribute to a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease. The two most important factors include an age over 65, and being of the effeminate gender. However, genetic factors, chemical imbalances, being of an African American descent, lower educational level, environmental agents ( such as viruses like herpes zoster, herpes simplex, expo positive(predicate) to coat and copper), and immunological changes are all also potential causes (Ignatavicius Workman, 2010, p. 970).AD is easily identifi adequate to(p) by its signs and symptoms which manifest in dif ferent stages. There are three stages that occur. The first stage is the early onset of Alzheimers in which patients lead have simple forgetfulness and ofttimes will deny that there is a problem, resulting in seclusion. Stage two is progressively worse the patient will soon get down disoriented to time, place and events. In this stage head trip as advantageously as speech and language be inject gnarly for the patient. The patient begins to become progressively more embarrassed and agitated. In the last stage, or stage three, the patient is no longer able to business concern for him or herself and is often unable to verbalize needs or able get out of bed without assistance (Ignatavicius Workman, 2009, p. 971-972). This stage of Alzheimers significantly affects patients activities of day-after-day living. Simple tasks such as brushing teeth, combing hair and ever-changing clothes are impossible for the patient to do. Because of their self-care deficit, the patients family may have to stand personal cares along with ADLs and mental reassurance. This can cause both worked up and financial stress for the family. Forgetting peoples names or faces can have a debilitating effect on a patients social life. Patients will often have little to no social etiquette demonstrated by squall obscenities, playing with their own fecal matter and other aggressive behaviors as an example. Sleep patterns are often disturbed and patients usually take stag naps during the day and are active at night (sundowners syndrome). This disrupts the patient and his or her familys daily routine (Ignatavicius Workman, 2009, p. 973).This type of diagnosis could likely affect their cultural beliefs as well. For example, burnishs, such as Hispanic, strongly believe in sr. respect and taking care of the elderly. Extended family will often depart under one roof. For these cultures a patient with AD may become more of a burden to the whole family rather than a culture that might accept assistance from a nursing home or assisted living center. Spiritual life can also be affected. The client may no longer be able to go to religious services due to their potential social inappropriateness or because the family may have to closely accompany them. The client may forget, or find it unnecessary, to partake in practices that they previously carried out. This may make the client and family feel very frustrated.Whereas there is no known way to prevent AD, there are many interventions to prevent the complications associated with the disease. Since memory impairment is the chief(prenominal) symptom of Alzheimers the client is expect to be very confuse and disoriented. The guard should be prepared to answer all the patients questions truthfully and keep him or her oriented by maybe providing single date calendars and keeping them on a non-changing routine. These things will help them to become more comfortable in their environment and be familiar with what is going to happ en (Ignatavicius Workman, 2010, p. 975). Validation therapy is one way that health care providers can achieve both of these goals. This therapy entails the cater member recognizing the patients feelings and concerns without lying to them or dismissing the fear. For example if the client has already eaten breakfast, and returns to the eat hall expecting a second breakfast, an appropriate response from the nurse would be something along the lines of, I notice you are still hungry, I will get you another piece of toast. It would be inappropriate for the nurse to signalise the client that he or she has already eaten because this may cause the client to become very agitated. The response does not dispute the client, but it also does not support the idea that he or she has not eaten breakfast (Ignatavicius Workman, 2010, p. 975). Caregivers should also promote self care management. Sustaining independence in the clients ADLs is very important for the client with AD and can sometimes help to prolong self physical management. The nurse will also need to disturb bowel and bladder programs. It is important that these clients are toileted every two hours and as needed. Incontinence can be very embarrassing for the client and anything the round can do to prevent this is encouraged. Staff should keep the client well hydrated and may need to remind the client to drink often. If on a 2 hour and PRN schedule the client is less(prenominal) likely to acquire an injury by trying to get up and go to the bathroom on their own. Next, it may be helpful to on a regular basis take the client on walks and to provide them with something to do. Be sure to downplay stimulation and ensure safety. As for long term management of the disease it is likely that the client will eventually need to be determined in a long term care setting such as assisted living. Interestingly enough, in a journal article from The International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry it states that recent eviden ce suggests that behavioral interventions and techniques are more effective than any other means of care including pharmacological approaches. They affirm that staff should be well trained to select with these clients and that they play a huge role in the clients overall lean and how he or she will cope with managing their disease (Ayalon, Arean, Bornfeld, Beard, 2009, p. 118-123). For some psychological management, caregivers should promote memory training and assist with facial recognition. It is important that they use redirection techniques and promote effective communication that has been tailored to that client specifically (Ignatavicius Workman, 2010, p. 974-978). Alzheimers disease is very complex and has many components to successful nursing interventions, but when followed can lead to great results.Two creative nursing interventions that we were able to come up with are (Pts. with AD should be involved in social interaction to decrease feelings of boredom, anxiety and decreased self-esteem. A possible intervention the nurse can use to help a pt. with AD is to back up the pt. to sing with others and help pick out music this can possibly improve the pts. mood and behavior. It is believed that listening to enjoyable music during routine activities can decrease agitated behavior. Fun activities such as playing musical instruments ( triangle, maraca or even a toy hand drum) can be easy for the pt. to do and also entertaining. ) I am not sure what to do about the other one but with my grandpa we used to put a picture on his door to help him bring forward what room was his, but that kind of similar to what we talked about above.By 2050 it is expected that the prevalence of Alzheimers disease will increase to 14 million people (Ignatavicius Workman, 2010, p. 970). As healthcare providers it is important that we educate ourselves on this disease because it is approximately inevitable for anyone of us to avoid caring for a client diagnosed with it. I n this paper we discussed the disease process including causes and risk factors, the effects on the clients activities of daily living, the challenges with social, family, spiritual and cultural life, disease prevention and treatment along with long term management, and lastly, nursing care and interventions that can facilitate the life of a client with Alzheimers disease.