ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

By: Cristal Robles

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

• It is a neurological disease that leads to loss of memory and reasoning in the brain; which makes it hard to socialize with others.

AFFECTED AREAS• This is how

Alzheimer’s disease starts to develop. First it begins in the Frontal lobe. Then at the same time it spreads into the Temporal lobe.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Mild confusion

• Forgetfulness

• Changes in personality, behavior, disorientation, speaking, and writing.

CAUSES

• The cause for Alzheimer’s is not known yet but scientists do believe that genetic, family history, lifestyle, and of course age could be possible causes for Alzheimer’s disease.

COMPLICATIONS

• As Alzheimer's disease progresses, brain changes begin to affect physical functions such as swallowing, balance, bowel and bladder control. The people with this disease usually fall frequently and some of the falls end up as a injury. In this case if no one is with the patient who fell down then there will be communication problems between the nurse, family member or whoever is in charge. The patient probably ended up injured and or in pain.

CONT…

● Families that have loved ones with Alzheimer’s have a hard time because they know that it will not be the same as before. Once they have this disease then everything changes in an instant. It is also hard for the person with this disease because they are unable to remember anything they did in their past. I’m sure they get frustrated within time because they try to remember but it is a very tough challenge for them. Although I think that some of them try to do their best to remember at least something.

TESTS

• There are no specific tests but the doctor would have you take a couple of tests. For example, a blood test would be important because the doctor would be able to see if there is something else in your blood that could be causing this disease. The doctor would also make a status mental test that includes basic questions, and that is also a way to check signs for Alzheimer’s disease.

PREVENTIONS• Take vitamins B, C, E, and Ginkgo Biloba

• Eat a cup of blueberries everyday because they are rich in antioxidants.

• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

• Focus on eating foods that have a lot of antioxidants in them.

CONT…

● The reason you want to make sure you have antioxidants in your body is because as you age, your cell division and replacement of dead or damaged cells start to slow down. The antioxidants can speed up the cell division and cell replacement, which can help to slow the overall effects of aging and prevent specific age-related diseases.

THINGS TO DO WITH AN ALZHEIMER’S PATIENT

• Listen to music

• Bake

• Read out loud

• Plant seeds indoors or outdoors

• Look at family pictures

• Go outside for a walk

• Make a scrapbook

CONT…

● There are many more things to do with Alzheimer patients as long as they are harmless and entertaining for the patient.

MY PROJECT

ALZHIEMER’S MEMORY SCRAPBOOK

• You can create a memory book for your loved one or your patient. Anyone with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from this book because it will help them to at least try to remember a little something about their past. Also make sure to put words under the picture to describe it because if you do not have words then the person with Alzheimer’s will have no idea what is going on in the picture.

ANY QUESTIONS?