Alzheimers

what is dementia

a general term fora group of symptoms that describe the loss of memory and interferes with daily life

which is the most common form of dementia , is known to be progressive leaving problems with memory, thinking, language and behavior

alzheimers

what are cognitive symptoms of dementia

• Memory loss
• Difficulty communicating
• Difficulty problem-solving
• Difficulty handling
complex tasks
• Difficulty with planning,
organizing
• Difficulty with
coordination
• Confusion, disorientation

what are psychological changes with dementia

• Personality
changes
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Inappropriate
behavior
• Paranoia
• Agitation
• Hallucinations

what are the two main types of dementia

• vascular

• mixed- more than one type

what are dementia like symptoms caused by

• Depression
• Drug interaction
• Thyroid problems
• Excess alcohol use
• Vitamin deficiencies

what is the definition of alzheimer’s

an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that affects the memory, thinking and reasoning, and ability o do simple tasks

which age does alzheimers usually impact people

typically after age 60

what is the other name for early onset disease

Familiar Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD)

what are the physical brain changes in people with alzheimers

• abnormal clumps = amyloid plaques= disrupts cellular functions

• tangled fibers= neurofibrillary tangles- blovks neurons transport system

what do these physical brain changes in people with alzheimers cause ?

widespread brain dmg'

affected memory

changes in language, reasoning, and social behavior

what happens during widespread brain damage

neurons stop functioning

loss of connections

death of neurons

where is memory affected

enthohinal cortex, hippocampus

where does langauge , reasoning ad social behavior take place

cerebral cortex

what is the etiology of alzhemers’s

the etiology is still unclear , with alterations in processing of beta protein may be initiating factor

• underlying cause of the change is unknown

• Combination of genetic and environmental factors

What are Alzheimer Myths

• Memory loss is a natural part of aging

• Alzheimer’s disease is not fatal

• Only older people can get alzheimer’s

• Drinking from aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can cause Alzheimer’s disease

• Aspartame causes memory loss

• Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

• Silver dental fillings increase risk of Alzhimer’’s disease

• There are treatments available to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

how many people have alzheimer’s

5.7 million people with a rapid increase

what percentage of people with AD are 75+

81%

which group is more likely to experience alzheimer’s

African Americans

what are the 5 ambitious goals of our national plan to address alzheimer’s disease

• Prevent and effectively
treat Alzheimer's Disease
by 2025
• Optimize care quality and
efficiency
• Expand supports for
people with AD and their
families
• Enhance public awareness
and engagement
• Track progress and drive
improvement

what is the progression like for people with AD

the progression rate varies from person to person

what is survival like for people with AD

4 to 8 years

What is it called when you identify what someone is like before the symptoms and brain changes begin

preclinical alzheimer’s disease

what is from AD that can cause:

• memory lapses

• and does not impact work/relationships

mild cognitive impairment

True or false: AD can cause dementia from mild to severe

true

what are the different stages of mild dementia due to AD

• Memory loss of
recent events
• Difficulty problem
solving
• Poor judgment
• Personality changes
• Difficulty organizing,
expressing thoughts
• Losing things, getting
lost
• Friends, family,
doctors notice

what are the different stages of moderate dementia

• increasingly confused, forgetful

• poor judgment, deepening confusion

• wander

• greater memory loss

• require help with daily activities

• significant personality, behavior changes

• unfounded suspicions

• restless, agitated, aggressive

what are the stages of severe dementia

• Continued decline
• Lose ability to communicate
• Total assistance ADLs
• Decline in physical function
• Lose ability to swallow
• Lose bowel/bladder control

what hcan happen when a severe case of dementia is reached

death

what can be a cause of death due to severe dementia

• pneumonia

• dehydration

• malnutrition

• falls

which lobe does mild cognitive impairment take place

medial temporal lobe

which lobe does mild alzheimer’s spread to

the lateral temporal and parietal lobes

which lobe does moderate alzheimer’s take place

the frontal lobe

which lobe does severe alzheimers take place

occipital lobe

sandy has short term memory loss .. what form of alzheimers is she experiencing and which lobe

shes having a mild cognitive impairment and its in the medial temporal lobe

sandy has trouble reading , poor object recognition , and poor direction sense .. what form of alzheimers is she experiencing and which lobe

mild alzheimers in the lateral temporal and parietal lobes

sandy has poor judgement, impulsivity , and short attention .. what form of alzheimers is she experiencing and which lobe

moderate alzheimers that has spread to the frontal lobe

sandy has visual problems .. what form of alzheimers is she experiencing and which lobe

severe alzheimers that have spread to the occipital lobe

What are ways to diagnose AD

• medical interview

• tests of memory, problem solving, attention

• standard medical tests

  • identify other possible causes

• brain scans

  • computed tomography

  • magnetic resonance imaging

  • positron emission tomogrpahy

  • rule out other possible causes

what are 2 different screening techniques:

• mini cog test

• mini mental status examination

what screening test is being described:

• 1) Remember and a
few minutes later
repeat, names of
three common objects
• 2) Draw the face of a
clock showing 12
numbers in correct
places in specified
time

mini cog test

which screening test:

is used as a

• dementia screening tool

• measure decline and recovery

• health professional asks patient questions

• range of everyday mental skills

mini mental status examination (MMSE)

what is the MMSE score for mild dementia

20-24

what is the MMSE score for moderatee dementia

13-20

what is the MMSE score for severe dementia

less than 12

average decine in point s for MMSE scoring each year

2-4 points

what are different ways to help people with AD

• Caregivers

  • Encourage people to speak with HCP
  • Plan for financial, health-related impacts

• Healthcare providers

  • • Improve early recognition for underserved groups
    through culturally sensitive care
    • Educate about available services

• Public Health professionals

  • • Develop, promote, spread strategies
    • Train HCP about early signs – cultural differences
    • Improve access to treatment, care management

    
    

what can assisted living provide for AD patients

• housing

• personalized supportive services

• health care

• people who need help with ADLs

what is the significance of a living will

it will decide in advance of potential cognitive declline who will make healthcare decisions

what are strategies for healthy aging that may offer protection to reduce the risk of AD

• Nutritious diet
• Avoid tobacco,
excessive alcohol
• Stay socially
connected
• Exercise mind &
body
• Mental stimulation

what factors other than genetics that play a role in AD

• Heart
disease
• Stroke
• High blood
pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity

what are some forms of behavioral management

focusing on safety, strure in the environment , enjoyable - these maintain fucntion, imporvve quality of life, promtoe dignity , and maintain choice

what are the drug treatments used to maintain mental function

• Donepezil (Aricept®),
rivastigmine (Exelon®),
galantamine (Razadyne®),
memantine (Namenda®)
• Regulate
neurotransmitters
• Reduce symptoms
• Effective for some
• Limited time

what does an early diagnosis help with AD

they understand how to diagnose from clinical symptoms to biomarkers

what does early diagnosis help with

• Plan for the future
• Take care of financial and legal matters
• Address potential safety issues
• Learn about living arrangements
• Develop support networks
• Participate in clinical trials

which specialist manages older adult healthcare

geriatricians

which specialist specializes in older adult mental, emotional problems

geriatric psychiatrists

which specialist assesses memory

neuropsychologists

which specialist specializes in abnormalities of the brain , central nervous system

neurologists