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Dementia NOT a normal part of aging Progressive loss of intellectual abilities such as thinking, remembering & reasoning that interfere with daily living Interferes with ability to care for oneself, socialize, plan for the future Can accompany or be part of many diseases and physical conditions Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia
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Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Presented byGreater Wisconsin Chapter
Objectives
• What is Dementia• Understanding of reversible and irreversible dementias;
Alzheimer’s • Effects of dementia and stages• Communication• Life Story
Dementia• NOT a normal part of aging• Progressive loss of intellectual abilities such
as thinking, remembering & reasoning that interfere with daily living
• Interferes with ability to care for oneself, socialize, plan for the future
• Can accompany or be part of many diseases and physical conditions
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia
What are the Reversible Causes of Dementia?
InfectionDrugsEmotional changes (Depression)Blood Sugars (Hypo/hyperglycemia)Eyes & EarsNutritionTumorsAlcohol
Irreversible Causes of Dementia
Alzheimer’s Disease Lewy-Body Dementia Vascular Dementia Front temporal Dementia (Pick’s Disease) AIDS & at least 70 other conditions
Alzheimer’s Disease
• Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory, ability to learn, reasoning, making judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities.
• As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality & behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness, agitation, delusions or hallucinations
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of irreversible dementia
• Each person progresses differently through the disease process
Brain of Healthy Older Adult
Brain of Person with Alzheimer’s Disease
The Effects of Dementia
• Memory Changes• Language Changes• Perception & Recognition Changes• Purposeful Movement Changes• Complex Thought Changes
• We need to change, they can not
Early Stage Characteristics Short-term memory Handling money New learning Finding words Decreased attention span
Middle Stage Characteristics
Sleep disturbances Wandering Disinhibition Agitation Social isolation
Language skill decline Paranoia Hallucinations Resistance Sun downing
Late Stage Characteristics Non-recognition of self or others Communication profoundly impaired 24 hour care required Incontinent
So unique!!!
So, you’ve met one person with Alzheimer’s Disease. That only means you’ve met one person with Alzheimer’s Disease!
Life Story
• The person’s Life Story is the basis for all interactions with him or her.
• It is the way to connect the individual to his or her day.
What is a “Life Story?”
• Life accomplishments & achievements• Likes & Dislikes• Relationships with family & friends• Pet Peeves & Comforts• Routines• Cultures & Traditions, Rituals
Communication Varies with Each Individual
The person with dementia may:• Have difficulty finding the right words• Use familiar words repeatedly• Invent new words to describe familiar things• Easily lose their train of thought• Revert to native languages• Use inappropriate language (curse words)• Rely on gestures instead of verbalizations
Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication is everything but the actual words we speak!
Visual CuesTone of VoiceBody Language
Non-verbal communication becomes more important as the disease
progresses.
Help the Person Communicate• Be patient and supportive• Show interest• Offer reassurance• Give the person the gift
of time• Do not criticize or correct
• Do not argue• Offer a guess• Limit distractions
Use Your Best Communication Skills• Identify yourself• How is the environment • Use the person’s name• Make eye contact• Use short, simple words and sentences• Speak slowly and clearly• Give one-step directions• Ask one question at a time
Symptomatic Behaviors
People with dementia cannot change who they are any more than they can change the effects of dementia.
It is up to us to adapt.
Behavior Becomes the Symptom
• All behavior has meaning. • Form of communication• Not always a “problem”• Does not just happen, but
builds over time• Behavior becomes the
language of the disease
IMPORTANT!
Sudden and/or a major changes in typical mood, function or behavior, could be caused by other physical conditions (reversible causes).
Remember Alzheimer’s disease is slow and progressive
We must carefully assess and appropriate treat
Possible Influences to Consider
• Work history/habits• Chronic medical
conditions• Environment unfamiliar,
too stimulating, not stimulating
• Tasks too difficult• Pain
• Past leisure interests• Acute medical
conditions• Misperception• Approaches of care
partners, others• Confusing cues in the
environment
Observation
1. When does the problem occur2. Who was involved/Who was effected3. What emotions were expressed Anger, Frustration, Fear4. How did the care professional respond5. How was their approach
Problem Solving
1. Try to understand why this behavior is occurring.2. What factors may be triggering the behavior3. Develop a list of alternative strategies for responding to
the behavior or situation.4. Problem solving is a process of trail and error.5. Recognize elements in the environment, medical issues
or problems of communication6. Know the resident
Alzheimer’s Association
• Information & Referral and Care Consultation
• Caregiver and Early Stage Support Groups
• Education: Professional and Consumer
• Medic Alert + Safe Return
• Advocacy
Our Mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia
through the promotion of brain health.
Our Vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.
Questions?