Alzheimer's Awareness

• Memory loss/Loss of STM
• ↓ communication skills/problems with language
• Disorientation
• Mood swings^[1][2]
• ↓ concentration
• ↓ learning & ↓ reasoning
• Changes in personality
• ↑ dependence on a care­taker
• ↓ response to outside world
• Physical changes such as posture, deconditioning, weight loss/gain
• May exhibit restlessness
• Sleep disturbances
• Hostility
• Combativeness

• Cause is unknown; poorly understood; genetic basis possible
• Loss of neurons and the development of plaque / tangles in the brain impair function

• Age: 81% are older than 75 years of age
• Genetic mutations in APOE-e4 gene and/or Amyloid precursor proteins
• Family history
• Prior MCI/TBI / just head injuries
• Genetics

Modifiable:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension^[1],/Midlife hypertension
• Obesity
• Depression/Clinical depression
• Smoking
• Low educational attainment
• Social and cognitive engagement
• Psychological stress^[5]
• Lack of physical/Physical inactivity^[6] and mental^[5][7] exercise

• First rule out other causes of organic brain disease
• Then diagnostic criteria: examine memory & cognitive disturbances
• Progressive, neurologic examination -> sensory & motor deficits
• In later stages, brain scans -> brain atrophy, widened sulci, enlarged cerebral ventricles

• Supportive & symptomatic
• Drug therapy
• ↑ client’s ability to cope with frustration level
• ↑ self-care (fluid intake, nutrition, personal hygiene)
• ↑ mobility & remaining mental abilities
• Injury prevention
• Emotional support (client & family)

• Certain medications can help with memory symptoms and other cognitive changes: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists^[11]

• No cure known
• Drug therapy may delay progression
• Disease usually indicates custodial care