Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Presented byGreater Wisconsin Chapter

Objectives

• What is Dementia• Understanding of reversible and irreversible dementias;

Alzheimer’s • Effects of dementia and stages• Communication• Life Story

Dementia• NOT a normal part of aging• Progressive loss of intellectual abilities such

as thinking, remembering & reasoning that interfere with daily living

• Interferes with ability to care for oneself, socialize, plan for the future

• Can accompany or be part of many diseases and physical conditions

• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia

What are the Reversible Causes of Dementia?

InfectionDrugsEmotional changes (Depression)Blood Sugars (Hypo/hyperglycemia)Eyes & EarsNutritionTumorsAlcohol

Irreversible Causes of Dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease Lewy-Body Dementia Vascular Dementia Front temporal Dementia (Pick’s Disease) AIDS & at least 70 other conditions

Alzheimer’s Disease

• Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory, ability to learn, reasoning, making judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities.

• As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality & behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness, agitation, delusions or hallucinations

• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of irreversible dementia

• Each person progresses differently through the disease process

Brain of Healthy Older Adult

Brain of Person with Alzheimer’s Disease

The Effects of Dementia

• Memory Changes• Language Changes• Perception & Recognition Changes• Purposeful Movement Changes• Complex Thought Changes

• We need to change, they can not

Early Stage Characteristics Short-term memory Handling money New learning Finding words Decreased attention span

Middle Stage Characteristics

Sleep disturbances Wandering Disinhibition Agitation Social isolation

Language skill decline Paranoia Hallucinations Resistance Sun downing

Late Stage Characteristics Non-recognition of self or others Communication profoundly impaired 24 hour care required Incontinent

So unique!!!

So, you’ve met one person with Alzheimer’s Disease. That only means you’ve met one person with Alzheimer’s Disease!

Life Story

• The person’s Life Story is the basis for all interactions with him or her.

• It is the way to connect the individual to his or her day.

What is a “Life Story?”

• Life accomplishments & achievements• Likes & Dislikes• Relationships with family & friends• Pet Peeves & Comforts• Routines• Cultures & Traditions, Rituals

Communication Varies with Each Individual

The person with dementia may:• Have difficulty finding the right words• Use familiar words repeatedly• Invent new words to describe familiar things• Easily lose their train of thought• Revert to native languages• Use inappropriate language (curse words)• Rely on gestures instead of verbalizations

Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication is everything but the actual words we speak!

Visual CuesTone of VoiceBody Language

Non-verbal communication becomes more important as the disease

progresses.

Help the Person Communicate• Be patient and supportive• Show interest• Offer reassurance• Give the person the gift

of time• Do not criticize or correct

• Do not argue• Offer a guess• Limit distractions

Use Your Best Communication Skills• Identify yourself• How is the environment • Use the person’s name• Make eye contact• Use short, simple words and sentences• Speak slowly and clearly• Give one-step directions• Ask one question at a time

Symptomatic Behaviors

People with dementia cannot change who they are any more than they can change the effects of dementia.

It is up to us to adapt.

Behavior Becomes the Symptom

• All behavior has meaning. • Form of communication• Not always a “problem”• Does not just happen, but

builds over time• Behavior becomes the

language of the disease

IMPORTANT!

Sudden and/or a major changes in typical mood, function or behavior, could be caused by other physical conditions (reversible causes).

Remember Alzheimer’s disease is slow and progressive

We must carefully assess and appropriate treat

Possible Influences to Consider

• Work history/habits• Chronic medical

conditions• Environment unfamiliar,

too stimulating, not stimulating

• Tasks too difficult• Pain

• Past leisure interests• Acute medical

conditions• Misperception• Approaches of care

partners, others• Confusing cues in the

environment

Observation

1. When does the problem occur2. Who was involved/Who was effected3. What emotions were expressed Anger, Frustration, Fear4. How did the care professional respond5. How was their approach

Problem Solving

1. Try to understand why this behavior is occurring.2. What factors may be triggering the behavior3. Develop a list of alternative strategies for responding to

the behavior or situation.4. Problem solving is a process of trail and error.5. Recognize elements in the environment, medical issues

or problems of communication6. Know the resident

Alzheimer’s Association

• Information & Referral and Care Consultation

• Caregiver and Early Stage Support Groups

• Education: Professional and Consumer

• Medic Alert + Safe Return

• Advocacy

Our Mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia

through the promotion of brain health.

Our Vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.

Questions?