Alzheimer’s Disease

In this essay, the author

• Explains that several medications are available that may, in some individuals, improve symptoms or temporarily slow the disease progress. other drugs are being tested and could be marketed in the near future.
• Explains that there is no quick and easy way to diagnose alzheimer's disease. a diagnosis can only be conclusively arrived at following autopsy of the brain.
• Explains that delirium produces confusion and disorientation, but in contrast to the dementia seen in alzheimer’s disease, it produces a clouding of consciousness.

• Explains that several medications are available that may, in some individuals, improve symptoms or temporarily slow the disease progress. other drugs are being tested and could be marketed in the near future.
• Explains that there is no quick and easy way to diagnose alzheimer's disease. a diagnosis can only be conclusively arrived at following autopsy of the brain.
• Explains that delirium produces confusion and disorientation, but in contrast to the dementia seen in alzheimer’s disease, it produces a clouding of consciousness.
• Explains that depression can produce symptoms common to alzheimer's disease such as: forgetfulness, difficulty making decisions, withdrawal, poor judgment, and irritable mood.
• Explains how alzheimer's disease can be divided into seven stages using the reisberg scale. these stages are helpful for understanding the progression of the disease and planning environments, programs, and interventions.
• Explains that alzheimer's disease sufferers and their family and friends are unaware that anything is wrong. during this stage, changes take place in the brain, much like cancer silently works.
• Explains that alzheimer's is a mild form of forgetfulness, which increases in frequency and intensity.
• Explains the denial or cover up stage, which is referred to as the early confusional stage. mild cognitive decline is evident to close family and friends.
• Explains that stage 4 is the late confusional stage. deficits are obvious and denial is intense. the person at this stage is confused about current events and unable to balance a checkbook.
• Explains that alzheimer's disease is a progressive, terminal, degenerative brain disease that affects over four million people in the united states.
• Explains that alzheimer disease is characterized by a gradual spread of sticky plaques and clumps of tangled fibers that disrupt the organization of nerve cells in the brain.
• Explains that alzheimer's disease is often used interchangeably with the term dementia, but these terms are not interchangeable. dementia is only a symptom of the disease, and it occurs only in the mid to late stages.
• Explains that dementia is the major symptom as alzheimer’s disease progresses through stages 5-7. dementia involves multiple cognitive thinking impairement.
• Explains that executive functioning impairments must be severe enough to significantly impact the individuals’ social or occupational functioning and must represent a decline from previous levels of functioning.
• Explains the cognitive decline and early dementia stages of alzheimer's patients. they can still make their needs known, though some may have expressive aphasia.
• Explains that the person in this stage is progressing backward and not forward as they progress through the disease. disciplinary action from the caregiver is not appropriate.
• Describes the end stage of alzheimer's disease, the failure to strive stage, which can last 5-7 years. the person in this stage is aware of only the immediate present, cannot make their needs known, and cannot recognize familiar people.
• Explains that people with alzheimer's disease become confused, restless, upset, and disoriented during the evening.
• Explains that communication is a major concern in living with or caring for indivudals with alzheimer's disease.