Running head: CASE STUDY #3 1

HCS 410Case Study #3 Mental Health Issue

Alzheimer’s DiseaseDr. Ballantyne

Gina LeymeisterAlvernia University

CASE STUDY #3

Abstract

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CASE STUDY #3

Alzheimer’s Disease

One may look at the recent mental health issues and not realize the impact of

Alzheimer’s disease. The number of those affected by the disease is growing every single

day. In addition, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease every 67 seconds (cite).

The cost of this disease was last reported at 226 billion dollars with half of the money

coming from Medicare. There needs to be a more cost effective way of treating this

disease. Mental health issues never taken a precedence role in society, but hopefully the

stigmatism will soon be lifted.

Alzheimer’s disease has been affecting the populating dating back to the year of

1906, when Dr. Alois Alzheimer first described it. Dr. Alzheimer was a German

physician who linked symptoms to microscopic brain changes. Emil Kraepelin, who was

also a German physician, named the disease in 1910 in the eight edition of his book

Psychiatrie. Alzheimer’s disease is still being studied today for a possible cure or a

treatment to slow down the progression of the disease.

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CASE STUDY #3

Michelle Obama once stated, “At the root of this dilemma is the way we view mental

health in this country. Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg or your brain, it’s

still an illness, and there should be no distinction” (Cite). This quote supports the

determination to end the mental stigmas associated with mental health issues.

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