Alzheimer's Disease
Global Health Issue
Learning Objectives
- The Causes of Alzheimer's
- Symptom's of Alzheimer's
- Stages Alzheimer's
- Facts about Alzheimer's
Background Summary
Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Dementia is a chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning. Symptoms of Alzheimer's usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging. The majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. However, Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer's which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues.
Relevant Readings
www.alz.org- Alzheimer's Association
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia/alzheimers-disease.htm#stages
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia/alzheimers-disease.htm#stages
Visual Component
BBC Documentary; Mum and Me. Alzheimer's Part 1/4
Assessment;
1. List the stages of Alzheimer's and explain it's effects on an individual.
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2. List 4 facts about Alzheimer's that have recently been shared in the media or the medical field.
3. Using what you've learned about Alzheimer's create a person who is diagnosed with the disease. Explain their beginning symptoms, their age, their gender, what stage of the disease they are presently in and two specifics facts about the disease and how it is effecting their life.
Stage 1- mild issues, forgets appointments and daily tasks, mild coordination issues
ReplyDeleteStage 2- much more prominent symptoms, trouble remembering friends and family, no knowledge of personal history, visible coordination issues
Stage 3- Debilitating coordination issues, trouble speaking, almost no memory, needs around the clock care
Women are more likely to get Alzheimer's than men
One in three people over the age of 65 die with Alzheimer's symptoms
Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the US
Alzheimer's deteriorates the brain more quickly than it usually would with age
People who are around 65 may start to experience Alzheimer's symptoms. Women are more likely than men to experience this. Symptoms include coordination problems, repeated questions, constant missing of obligations due to forgetfulness, and not recognizing family and friends. They will usually start to notice symptoms in stage 1, the early stage. They may lose things often or forget appointments if they are experiencing the beginning symptoms of Alzheimer's.