Showing posts with label Alzheimer's Memory Walk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alzheimer's Memory Walk. Show all posts

Monday, June 23, 2014

End Stage Alzheimer's Disease

End Stage Alzheimer's Disease
In the case that people living with end-stage dementia that is usually caused by Alzheimer's disease develop pneumonia or fracturing a hip, 50% will die within 6 months. Just like cancer, end stage Alzheimer's disease is a terminal illness and therefore usually palliative care and comfort to the patient is advocated in place of having the patient endure invasive treatments and testing in the case that they have received poor prognosis. In most cases, a patient that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's can live to almost 8-20 years before reaching the end stage Alzheimer's disease



Owing to the fact that a person with end stage Alzheimer's disease is mentally incapable of making any decisions, then treatment should ultimately be left to the caregiver or a loved person of the patient. End stage Alzheimer's disease is always characterized by the inability of the patient to recognize family members, perform daily tasks or lack of communication. Repeated infections and other complications are very common in people suffering from end stage Alzheimer's disease. Always, in its final phases, the patient will require a 24hrs a day and 7 days a week attention.



However, the illness usually varies from across individuals but the illness cause is definite and progresses mostly from the first stage to death for all patients of Alzheimer's. Despite the fact that there is no cure for the disease, there are treatments that can surely slow down the disease. The brain is totally destroyed in the final stages of the disease and therefore performing the normal functions becomes a dear problem. Usually, Alzheimer's disease will cause the death of the patient even if other diseases do not do so.



It is important to note that it is beyond the inability of most unprofessional caregivers to afford the needed care to a patient suffering from end stage Alzheimer's disease. Lack of communication on their needs and mostly failure to respond to questions or indicate their discomfort is the most critical stage in a person suffering from the end stage Alzheimer's disease and therefore this is always the main reason they need help with basic day- to-day living requirements.



It may be at the end stage Alzheimer's disease that outside help will be needed and this is where the patient can be placed in a facility specifically designed for the end-of-life-care. Usually, this is done for the benefit of the family members and the patient.






Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease

Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease
What is Alzheimer's disease? What are the early onset signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease? These are questions that many people who have love ones with this neurologic disorder ask their health care provider. Alzheimer's disease, aka primary degenerative dementia, accounts for nearly half of all dementia cases in the United States. This disease, however, isn't only restrictive to the elderly population. About 1% to 10% of causes for Alzheimer's disease occurs in the middle age years. However, because Alzheimer's disease is progressive, the prognosis for patients with this disease is extremely poor.



Now, the early onset signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are insidious at best. The patient with this neurological disorder generally undergoes imperceptible changes. Some of these changes are recent memory loss, forgetfulness, difficulty learning, difficulty in remembering new information, and a worsening in personal hygiene and appearance, and an incapacity to concentrate.



When that happens, gradually any task that required abstract thinking and any activities that may require judgment will become more and more difficult for the person to do. This will soon result in progressive difficulty for the person to communicate, and they will have relentless deterioration in memory, speech, and motor functions. The lost of motor functions will result in a loss of dexterity and an inability to write or speak. During these signs and symptoms, the person with Alzheimer's disease will show odd personality changes. Some of these personality changes are restlessness and irritability. Experiencing nocturnal awakening is common with Alzheimer's disease also.



If Alzheimer's disease is detected early then that patient can be treated. The treatment therapy consists of numerous cerebral vasodilators such as ergoloid mesylates, isoxuprine, and cyclandelate. These drugs are used to help enhance the brain's circulation. Other drugs that may be given to an Alzheimer's disease patient are antidepressants because if an Alzheimer's patient has severe depression it will exacerbate the patient's dementia. Another drug used to treat Alzheimer's is Tacrine. Tacrine which is a centrally-acting anticholinesterase agent that is only used to treat memory deficits caused by Alzheimer's disease.



In conclusion, it is very important to learn and understand the early onset of Alzheimer's disease because millions of people are diagnosed with this disease too late. If a person and/or their family members are watchful, then they can get treatment for Alzheimer's disease early on. This is important because those who get treatment earlier for Alzheimer's disease have better results over time.






Alzheimer's Disease Stages

Alzheimer's Disease Stages
Alzheimer's disease is generally a familiar form of dementia, a severe brain disorder that has a major impact on the memory loss and thought process. Alzheimer's is a gradual deterioration disease, starting from the lack of memory to extensive neurological injury and eventually may cause death. Chemical and physical changes of the brain steadily destroy the capability to fashion, retain information, study, cause, and relate to others. As essential cells start dying, extreme personality loss occurs and leads body to a systems failure. Most senior citizens mainly of 65 years face the phase forgetfulness that is just not convenient and usually involves insignificant information. Conditions like eccentric and senile can cover worries of Alzheimer's disease, while other circumstances may in fact be causing mental demur.



Starting mild effects of the first stage Alzheimer's disease patient's persistent recent memory is lost, mainly of latest negotiations and dealings. In the contrary he may ask questions repeatedly, and finds difficult to understand his own language with an inability to express his problems. Writing and other daily activities become difficult. Depression and lack of concern can occur. Extreme behavioural changes may come with functional turn down. Continual reminders are required for a daily routine, and with an impact of a series of difficulties driving early in this stage.



II stage: Alzheimer's disease patients in this stage are unable resolve their own problems. Minor level of forgetfulness is the first sign commonly observed by its relatives. And the recent past events cannot be recollected and hence the patient forgets the where they have left their personal positions and to where they at moment really are. He forgets to put off important things like electric lights and switches and most vitally the gas taps are left open. He misses appointment, forgets the names of newly introduced, and especially those of near ones as well. Hunting of an address in a new place is the major hurdle for them.



III stage: Declination is aggravated in personal behaviour and social awareness. He act rude, in tactful, doesn't show any feelings, this insensitive and uninhibited behaviour drives him bad to worst that is aggressive actions, sexual indiscretions and failing to obey the laws. Patients are expected to sit calmly for hours and hours without responding to any form of useful activity.



IV stage: Emotional mood changes may be prominent during the early stages and causes some difficulty in differentiating dementia from affective disorders. They appear to depend on some degree of insight into failing intellectual powers.






Alzheimer's Disease Association

Alzheimer's Disease Association
First and foremost, let us brush through the mission of Alzheimer Disease Association.



Alzheimer Disease Association's mission is to ensure that through advanced research, provision and enhancement of healthcare and support for all the affected, the Alzheimer's disease will be eliminated completely.



The Alzheimer's Disease Association is believed to be the leading voluntary health organization mostly in Alzheimer's care, support and as well research. Their mission is just to see a world without disease. The association provides information, education and support and has a toll-free helpline that provides you with sufficient information as well as referral and support in more than one language.



The association provides core services to families and professionals alike. These services always include information and referral, support groups, consultation in care and also education and safety services. This is always done from coast to coast, and they have local chapters that are at large in the community.



They always have a message board that if you join them, will connect you just as it has connected other people across the country. Always they have a 24hr medical response that covers nation wide. This will always cover individuals who might be in a medical emergency or have other issues related to Alzheimer's and dementia. The largest library dedicated to Alzheimer's disease is operated by the Alzheimer Disease Association. Wide variety of free information is provided to the public by the library.



The Alzheimer Disease Association care source is online suits of resources that usually helps in coordinating assistance from families and friends, lacking senior housing as well as ensure that individuals receive customized care recommendations and as well enhanced care giving skills are afforded. The best research scientists are brought together through the Alzheimer Disease Association annual international conference on Alzheimer's disease (ICAD). These scientists always come to exchange ideas and break through research. Alzheimers Disease Association memory walk is taunted as the largest in the nation. It is always an event carried out to raise awareness and Alzheimer's care and as well for support and research.



There is education to consumers about brain health and steps needed to be taken in order to reduce the risks of potentially developing Alzheimer's disease. Critical Alzheimer's policy issues education are offered by the Alzheimer Disease Association advocates. Also they press for an increase in federal planning and care programs. Through Alzheimer Disease Association campaign for quality care, the initiative is leading the way in ensuring that dementia care is safe, respectful and as well meaningful to each and every individual.