Alzheimer’s Disease

Presented by:

Beth Barranco, RN, BSN

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Was first described by and subsequently named after a German physician,

Dr. Alois Alzheimer, in 1906

A progressive and fatal brain disease that affects as many as 5.3 million Americans today and is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States

It destroys brain cells, causing memory loss and problems with thinking

It worsens over time and is fatal

Alzheimer’s Disease… Chemical and structural changes in the brain gradually

destroy the ability to: Create Remember Learn Reason Relate to others. 

As critical cells die, drastic personality loss occurs and body systems fail

Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Very Early AD

Mild to Moderate AD

Severe AD

Early Stage:

In the earliest stages, before symptoms can be detected with current tests, plaques begin to form in brain areas involved in:

Learning and memory Thinking and planning

Moderate Stage:

Brain areas important to memory and thinking and planning, develop more plaques.

Problems with memory or thinking can become serious enough to interfere with work or social life.

Brain areas that are involved in speaking and understanding speech can also become affected

Severe Alzheimer’s Disease: In advanced Alzheimer’s disease,

most of the cortex is seriously damaged.

The brain shrinks dramatically due to widespread cell death.

Individuals lose their ability to communicate, to recognize family and loved ones and to care for themselves

Alzheimer’s effects your everyday life

Work

HobbiesSocial Interactions

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s: Memory loss disruptive to daily life Challenges planning or solving problems Difficulty completing tasks at work or home Confusion with time and place Trouble with visual images or spatial relationships Problems with speaking or writing words Misplacing things or inability to retrace steps Decreased or poor judgement Withdrawal from work or social activities Changes in mood or personality

Unmodifiable Risk Factors: Age:

The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is increasing age. Most individuals with the disease are 65 or older. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s doubles about every five

years after age 65. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50 percent.   Family History:

Research shows that those who have a parent, brother, sister, or child with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

The risk increases if more than one family member has the illness. Genetics:

Risk genes Deterministic genes

Controllable Risk Factors: Diabetes Hypertension High cholesterol Heart disease Obesity

Liver and kidney disease Smoking, alcohol, drug use Poor quality or insufficient

sleep Sedentary lifestyle Chronic Stress

What should you do if you think you may have Alzheimer’s Disease? If you notice any signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or someone you know, don’t

ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor

There is no single type of doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease.

Primary care doctors or internists often oversee the diagnostic process and provide treatment themselves

EARLY DETECTION IS IMPORTANT!! Other physicians that may be involved in your care

A neurologist: diseases of the brain and nervous system A psychiatrist: disorders that affect mood or the way the mind works A psychologist: advanced training in testing memory, concentration, problem

solving, language and other mental functions

Understanding the problem: There is no single test that proves a person has Alzheimer’s. A medical workup

will evaluate your overall health and identify any conditions that could affect how well the mind works.

Doctors can almost always determine that a person has dementia, but it may sometimes be difficult to pin down the exact cause.

Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a group of symptoms that are caused by various diseases or conditions.

Dementia, though often treatable to some degree, is usually due to causes that are progressive and incurable

Affected areas of cognition may be memory, attention, language, and problem solving

Alzheimer's disease causes 50% to 60% of all dementias

Life after diagnosis: Medications and Alzheimer’s disease

Medications can not reverse serious brain deterioration, but the earlier these drugs are started, the greater their potential effectiveness in slowing memory loss and preserving independence.

Create your personal anti-Alzheimer’s program Brain regeneration continues through adulthood. Building brain

reserves through systematic lifestyle choices is currently your best defense against Alzheimer’s disease

Treatment: Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease

If your symptoms are the result of Alzheimer’s disease, medications can delay the onset of more debilitating symptoms.

Early diagnosis can prolong independence and is the first step towards treatment, management, and living life fully.

Strategies to Prevent and Delay Alzheimer’s Disease

Get plenty of exercise Eat a brain-healthy diet

Follow a Mediterranean diet Maintain consistent levels of insulin and blood sugar Eat across the rainbow Drink tea daily Consider supplementing your diet

Keep your mind active Sleep to restore your memory

Strategies to Prevent and Delay Alzheimer’s Disease

Build brain reserves Set aside time each day to learn something new Practice memorization Solve riddles and work puzzles Follow the road less traveled

Learn to and relax manage your stress Protect your brain

Coping with Alzheimer’s Disease: To help cope with memory problems:

Keep a book with you to record important information such as phone numbers, names, appointments, your address and directions to your home.

Place sticky notes around the house when you need to remember things

Label cupboards and drawers with their contents Ask friends/family to call you each day and remind you of important

things such as meal times, medication times, and appointment times. Use photos of people you see often labeled with their names Keep track of phone messages by using an answering machine.

Coping cont.. In planning your day:

Find things to do that you enjoy and are able to do safely on your own.

Try to accomplish tasks during the times of the day you feel your best. If something becomes too difficult, take a break If you need help.. Ask for it!

To keep from getting lost: Ask someone to go with you when you go out Always take directions with you wherever you go.

Coping cont.. Taking care of yourself at home:

Have family, friends, or a community service program call or visit daily to ensure that everything is all right.

Ask a neighbor that you trust to keep a set of house keys for you. Ask someone to check things out around your house such as: smoke

alarms / CO2 detectors, electrical appliances, mail, perishable food items

Local Alzheimer organizations will be able to tell you how to get help with things like shopping, housekeeping, meals, and transportation

Keep a list of important and emergency numbers by the phone

Maintaining Your Responsibilities: It is important to realize that at some point, it will become too

difficult or dangerous for you to live by yourself. Discuss with your family/friends your wishes regarding living arrangements

and medical care when you are no longer able to make those decisions. Construct a WILL, LIVING WILL and POWER OF ATTORNEY and share

with the appropriate members of your family or support group. Arrange for direct deposit of checks such as your retirement pension or Social

Security benefits.

Try to locate a support group or small network of people Surround yourself with familiar things.

Resources Alzheimer’s Association:

www.alz.org 24/7 helpline: 800.272.3900 Office: 1899 Central Avenue, Augusta, GA 706.731.9060

Adult Day Care, Long-term care, Home-delivered meals, Homemaker Services, Transportation, Small Home Repair

Aiken Adult Care, Inc. 951 Millbrook Ave. Aiken , SC 29803 (803) 648-7045

Council On Aging 159 Morgan St., NW Aiken , SC 29801 (803) 648-5447

Public Safety DepartmentPresents to the Community:

Project Lifesaver of North Augusta/Aiken County, Inc

A Public Safety Program used to assist in locating missing persons suffering from Dementia-type disorders that wander

The Mission: “Dedicated to bringing your loved ones home!”

How it Works: Those at risk of wandering, bolting, running and/or eloping wear a one-ounce transmitter on the wrist or ankle that emits a

constant pulsating radio tracking signal 24/7.

When the caregiver discovers their loved one missing, they call the police and trained Project Lifesaver personnel respond with a special tracking unit that has proved useful in locating missing persons.

The Facts: A Non-Profit Organization founded by police to serve police in the electronic location of wanderers, available in over 325

police departments in 37 states

Over 1,322 wanderers have been found to date;

Average Location Time: 22 minutes (19 minutes after arriving on the scene. Location time prior to Project Lifesaver was over 8 hours;

Project LifeSaver Project LifeSaver International has joined forces with the North Augusta Department of

Public Safety, Aiken County Sheriff's Office and Aiken Department of Public Safety to aid in locating victims suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, Autism and other dementias.

Project Lifesaver of North Augusta/Aiken County, Inc. deploys specially trained teams with the most reliable technology available to quickly locate and return wandering adults and children to their families and caregivers.

To apply for a tracking device, complete an application and physician statement and mail to:

Project Lifesaver of North Augusta / Aiken County, Inc

Attn: Nancy Kieltsch

Aiken County Sheriff’s Office 420 Hampton Ave., NE Aiken, SC 29801

Thank you and

Good Night ;)