Chapter 19: Confusion, Dementia, and Alzheimers Disease

Cognition

as a person ages, some of the ability to think logically and clearly may be lost

Cognitive Impairment

when some of cognitive ability is lost

Confusion

the inability to think clearly and logically (suddenly or gradually, can be temporary or permanent)

The #1 Cause of sudden onset confusion is ___

a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Delirium

state of severe confusion, occurs suddenly, temporary

Dementia

serious loss of thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communication

Progressive

Once it begins, a progressive disease advances

Degenerative

gets continuously worse

Onset

time the signs and symptoms begin

Irreversible

disease or condition cannot be cured

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common caused of ___ in the elderly

dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

progressive, degenerative, and irreversible disease

• causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain (no known cause)

Alzheimer’s Disease begins with ___

memory loss

Perseveration

repeating words, phrases, questions, or actions

How should you respond to a resident with perseveration?

answer the questions, using the same words each time, until he stops

Agiation

excited, restless, or troubled

Trigger

a situation that leads agitation

Sundowning

when a person with AD gets restless and agitated in the late afternoon, evening, or night

Catastrophic Reactions

when a person with AD overacts to something

Pacing

walking back and forth in the same area

Wandering

walking aimlessly around the facility or the facility grounds

Elopes

wanders away from a protected area and does not return

Disruptive behavior

anything that disturbs others

Hoarding

collecting and putting things away in a guarded way

Rummaging

going through drawers, closets, or personal items that belong to oneself or to other people

Validating

giving value to or approving

Music therapy

using music to accomplish specific goals, such as managing stress