ALZHEIMER’S 101~ALZHEIMER’S 101~A FAMILIES GUIDE TO:A FAMILIES GUIDE TO:

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & DEMENTIADEMENTIA

PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER~PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER~

PRESENTED BY: BONNIE ZEILER, LPNALZHEIMER’S PROGRAM DIRECTOR

VILLAGE AT NORTHRISE

About Alzheimer’s DiseaseAbout Alzheimer’s Disease

Common Facts*Common Facts* An estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages had

Alzheimer’s Disease in 2010. Nearly 70% of all nursing home residents suffer from

some form of dementia, of which the most prevalent cause is Alzheimer’s disease.

One in eight individuals over 65 years of age have Alzheimer’s Disease.

2.4 million women, compared to one million men, have Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias.

It is estimated that 500,000 Americans under age 65 have Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias.

Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6th leading causes of death for people of all ages, and it ranks #5 for those 65 years and older.* “Alzheimer’s Disease Fact & Figures,” National Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

Common Facts*Common Facts*

The Cost of Alzheimer’s Disease ~

There are nearly 15 million Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers providing 17 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $202 billion. The Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures finds that caregivers not only suffer emotionally but also physically. Because of the toll of caregiving on their own health, Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers had $7.9 billion in additional health care costs in 2010. More than 60 percent of family caregivers report high levels of stress because of the prolonged duration of caregiving and 33 percent report symptoms of depression.

* “Alzheimer’s Disease Fact & Figures,” National Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

Common Facts*Common Facts* Alzheimer’s is the only cause of death among the top 10 in

America without a way to prevent, cure, or even slow its progression.

Change in Number of Deaths Between 2000 and 2008 Breast Cancer by 3% Prostate Cancer by

8%

Heart Disease by 13% Stroke by 20%

HIV by 29%

Alzheimer's Disease by 66%* “Alzheimer’s Disease Fact & Figures,” National Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

What is Dementia?What is Dementia?

Dementia is defined as “a global impairment” which affects intellectual functioning, memory and at least one of the following: abstract thinking, judgment and language; identification of people and objects; personality changes and ability to use objects appropriately.”

Dementia is a syndrome or group of symptoms caused by 102 disease entities.

About 70 dementias are irreversible and progressive, ultimately leading to death.

Irreversible DementiasIrreversible Dementias The most common cause of irreversible dementia is Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s Disease Affects every part of the brain – “global impairment.” Of all individuals suffering from dementia, approximately 70% have Alzheimer’s Disease or Alzheimer’s Disease coupled with another dementing illness. Some of the more common are listed below:

Mult-Infarct Dementia: Mult-Infarct Dementia: Caused by decreased blood flow that blocks arteries to the brain. This is the second leading cause of irreversible dementia.

Lewy Body Disease:Lewy Body Disease: An irreversible dementia with the following cardinal signs: motor problems, fluctuations of cognition/alertness, and visual hallucinations for which psychotropic medications are not recommended.

Parkinson Disease:Parkinson Disease: 30-40% develop cognitive impairment in the later stages of Parkinson Disease

Mixed Dementias:Mixed Dementias:

Understand Dementia and Alzheimer’s Understand Dementia and Alzheimer’s DiseaseDisease

Every person confronted with irreversible cognitive impairment desperately searches for a way to keep his or her identity.

Often, this “search” is fraught with frustration, anxiety and fear.

Fortunately, the emotional devastation of memory impairment can be reduced when a person is helped to feel competent and connected to life again.

There are also Reversible There are also Reversible Dementias…Dementias…

v These can be caused by:◦ Adverse reactions to Drugs or using too many

drugs. ◦ Emotional issues such as depression.◦ Metabolic disturbances such as diabetes or

hypoglycemia.◦ Sensory isolation caused by poor vision or

hearing loss.◦ Normal pressure hydrocephalus known as

“water on the brain.”◦ Tumors and other space occupying lesions.◦ Infections such as sinusitis or UTI’s.◦ Anemia often caused by B12 Deficiency.

The Normal BrainThe Normal Brain� In the normal brain, for any neuron or

brain cell to survive, three interrelated systems are in effect:

Neurotransmitters facilitate Communication. Metabolism enables cells to feed and breathe. Repair allows cells to renew themselves.

Communication signals between brain cells diminish as neurotransmitters disappear.Metabolism is impaired as neurofibrillary tangles develop inside the cells.Repair is disabled as amyloid plaques develop outside the cells.Plaques and tangles produce mistakes throughout the brain eventually resulting in cell death.

What Does Alzheimer’s Disease What Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect?Affect?

In the brain affected by Alzheimer’s Disease:

Overview of the Human Overview of the Human BrainBrain

How Alzheimer’s Affects the How Alzheimer’s Affects the BrainBrain

Alzheimer’s symptoms will vary depending on the area of the brain that is damaged.

Language, speech, motor function, and/or behaviors can be impacted.

It is important to note that not every personpresents with the same symptoms.

ComparisonNormal Alzheimer

’s

Notice the blue area is much larger in the brain with Alzheimer’s. This is due to deterioration in brain mass in the person with Alzheimer’s Disease.

THE STAGES OF THE STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASEALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Early Stage – 2-4 YearsEarly Stage – 2-4 Years Confusion about place – may get lost on way to work. Recent memory loss begins to affect job performance. Less outgoing; doesn’t take initiative. Mood changes; anxious about symptoms; withdrawn. Poor judgment – makes bad decisions. Takes longer with routine jobs. Trouble handling money. Forgets phone numbers, how to play bridge.

Symptoms:Symptoms:

Examples: *Forgets which bills are paid. *Which cards are played in bridge. *Forgets which phone numbers are often dialed. *Loses things, forgets grocery list. *Arrives at wrong time or place or constantly rechecks calendar. *Orders from door-to-door salesmen. *Paid the same bills three times or didn’t pay for three months.

◦ Problems recognizing close friends and/or family.◦ Increasing memory loss & confusion.◦ Repetitive movements and statements.◦ Restlessness especially at night.◦ Occasional muscle twitches; jerking.◦ Perceptual-motor problems.◦ Problems organizing thoughts, thinking logically.◦ Confabulates (makes up stories to conceal memory loss).◦ Problems with reading, writing and numbers.◦ Decreased attention span.◦ Moody; suspicious, teary, silly.◦ Sloppy; won’t bathe or afraid to bathe, trouble dressing.◦ May hallucinate or have illusions.◦ Delusions; fixed, unreal ideas.

◦ Problems finding the right word.

Middle Stage – 2-10 Middle Stage – 2-10 YearsYears

Second stageSecond stage–– longest stageSSymptoms:ymptoms:

◦ Little capacity for self care.◦ Can’t recognize self or family in mirror.◦ Can’t communicate with words.◦ Incontinent.◦ May have seizures, trouble swallowing; skin breakdown.◦ May put everything in mouth or touch everything.◦ Sleeps more.

Late Stage – 1-3 YearsLate Stage – 1-3 YearsTerminal Stage-- 1-3 yearsSymptoms:Symptoms:

Examples: *Looks in the mirror and talks to own image. *Needs help bathing, dressing, eating and toileting.*May groan, scream or make grunting sounds.*May try to suck on everything.

Your Role As A Care Your Role As A Care ProviderProvider

To reduce the fear and confusion of someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia, provide a predictable

routine with care and an individually adapted program of activities that will compensate

for your loved one’s brain impairment.

Alzheimer’s Care—What Alzheimer’s Care—What Works?Works? Accepting the person “where they are.” Calm and structured environment. Home or Home-like surroundings with normalized

activities. Regular and consistent routines. Positive communication approaches. Respect individuality and offer safe choices. Creative behavioral management.