Marks condition: Marks condition: Alzheimer's Alzheimer's

DiseaseDiseaseBy: Karla GarciaBy: Karla GarciaJeff GegetskasJeff GegetskasEriec AlvarezEriec Alvarez

Patients background Patients background The patient’s name is Mark, he is 78 The patient’s name is Mark, he is 78

years old.years old. He used to be a well recognized He used to be a well recognized

mathematicianmathematician Was brought in by his daughter Was brought in by his daughter

claiming he had been very confused claiming he had been very confused lately and forgetful.lately and forgetful.

Patients symptoms Patients symptoms He has had trouble recognizing He has had trouble recognizing

people has known for years people has known for years He has been having trouble He has been having trouble

controlling his emotions controlling his emotions Mild memory lossMild memory loss Doesn’t remember much about his Doesn’t remember much about his

pastpast Also has been extremely confused Also has been extremely confused

Patients illness: Patients illness: Alzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer's Disease

    Alzheimer's Disease is an illness that Alzheimer's Disease is an illness that has yet no cure.has yet no cure.

It causes extreme permanent memory It causes extreme permanent memory loss, along with the loss of memory loss, along with the loss of memory drastic mood swings connected with drastic mood swings connected with the illness. the illness.

It is classified as a form of dementia It is classified as a form of dementia that gradually gets worse and worse that gradually gets worse and worse affecting behavior and thinking.affecting behavior and thinking.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’sSymptoms of Alzheimer’s During the process of this disease During the process of this disease

developing within a person they must go developing within a person they must go through the disease’s stagesthrough the disease’s stages

Stage 1: the person does not show any Stage 1: the person does not show any signs of this illnesssigns of this illness

Stage 2: the patient begins to express Stage 2: the patient begins to express forgetful behavior oftenforgetful behavior often

Stage 3: the person begins to express Stage 3: the person begins to express extreme forgetful behavior and even extreme forgetful behavior and even confusionconfusion

Symptoms/ Stages Symptoms/ Stages continued..continued..

Stage 4 & 5: Gaps in memory become Stage 4 & 5: Gaps in memory become very evident and the person needs very evident and the person needs help with day to day activitieshelp with day to day activities

Stage 6 & 7: Memory loss gets worse, Stage 6 & 7: Memory loss gets worse, mood swings, extreme confusion, and mood swings, extreme confusion, and help is needed at all times. Person help is needed at all times. Person may even stop responding to the may even stop responding to the environment around themenvironment around them

Region of the brain affected Region of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s Diseaseby Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s affects the temporal Alzheimer’s affects the temporal lobe, it deteriorates that section of lobe, it deteriorates that section of the brain.the brain.

This also causes neurons to This also causes neurons to degenerate and eventually die.degenerate and eventually die.

What causes What causes Alzheimer’s?Alzheimer’s?

This illness can be caused by aging. This illness can be caused by aging. Also a person is at higher risk of Also a person is at higher risk of

getting it if one their family getting it if one their family members has.members has.

Professions that treat Professions that treat Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease

There are a few professions that There are a few professions that specialize in treating Alzheimer’s specialize in treating Alzheimer’s Disease.Disease.

A Geriatric PsychiatristA Geriatric Psychiatrist And a Geropsycologist And a Geropsycologist

A geriatric psychiatrist is a physician that A geriatric psychiatrist is a physician that specializes in mental, emotional, and specializes in mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders which commonly affect behavioral disorders which commonly affect the older population. the older population.

They can prescribe medications to treat the They can prescribe medications to treat the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s. behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

This is very suitable for this illness because This is very suitable for this illness because throughout their careers they only specialize throughout their careers they only specialize in those cases. in those cases.

They must have a doctorate in medicine and They must have a doctorate in medicine and residency in psychiatrist residency in psychiatrist

Geriatric Psychiatrist

GeropsycologistGeropsycologist AA Geropsychologist is a psychologist that Geropsychologist is a psychologist that

specializes in mental health challenges of the specializes in mental health challenges of the older population.older population.

They can perform psychological testing and They can perform psychological testing and focus therapy on issues related to coping, care focus therapy on issues related to coping, care giving and behavior management of Alzheimer’s giving and behavior management of Alzheimer’s symptoms.symptoms.

They also must have a doctorate in psychology They also must have a doctorate in psychology have to have completed an intensive internship have to have completed an intensive internship of supervised practice with older adults.of supervised practice with older adults.

This may be the best choice since this illness is This may be the best choice since this illness is completely in the brain.completely in the brain.

Patients FuturePatients Future The patient Mark will continue to live, The patient Mark will continue to live,

he does not have a terminal illness, he does not have a terminal illness, but his illness will develop and worsen but his illness will develop and worsen possibly drastically. possibly drastically.

It is important he seeks health care It is important he seeks health care with these specialist in his illness. with these specialist in his illness.

Since the patient is of older age the Since the patient is of older age the disease is more likely to develop and disease is more likely to develop and cause harmful problems. cause harmful problems.

SourcesSources "Choosing an Alzheimer's Doctor." "Choosing an Alzheimer's Doctor." About.com About.com

Alzheimer's / DementiaAlzheimer's / Dementia. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. . Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://alzheimers.about.com/od/workingwithyou<http://alzheimers.about.com/od/workingwithyourdoctor/a/specialists.htm>.rdoctor/a/specialists.htm>.

"Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment - Risk Factors - "Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment - Risk Factors - Prevention - Symptoms - Caregiving - Resources - Prevention - Symptoms - Caregiving - Resources - Questions and Answers - Publications - News - Questions and Answers - Publications - News - Research." Research." American Health Assistance American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF): Alzheimer's Disease, Foundation (AHAF): Alzheimer's Disease, Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma.Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma. Web. 02  Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ahaf.org/alzheimers/>.Apr. 2012. <http://www.ahaf.org/alzheimers/>.