Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and irreversible neurological disorder that leads to degeneration of brain cells and shrinking of the brain, eventually destroying memory and other mental functions (Breijyeh & Karaman, 2020). It is a common form of Dementia observed among older. It progresses with time and in phases until all cognitive function is destroyed, making one lose the ability to carry out daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is classified into three stages, mild, moderate, and severe phases, with the most patient in the severe phases eventually dying.

Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by building of proteins in and around brain cells (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019). However, some risk factors are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, like sex, age, family history and genetics, head trauma, down syndrome, lifestyle, and heart problems. Alzheimer’s disease is incurable, so medication is the only solution to control it. Patients are given medicine that helps them maximize bodily function and cognitive function and is also used to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Taking care of an Alzheimer’s patient involves learning more about them and how one can add to their day. It consists of creating a schedule for them that makes their day less hectic. To prepare a plan of care for an Alzheimer’s patient, one needs to gather information regarding the patient and their symptoms. Creating a questionnaire is an effective method of getting information without stressing the patients. Some questions that can be included in such a questionnaire include:

1. How old is the patient
2. Does the patient suffer from any other chronic disease?
3. Does the patient experience memory loss?
4. Does the patient seem confused?
5. Does the patient repeat things when conversing?
6. Does the patient lose items around the house?
7. Does the patient lose track of time and dates?
8. Does the patient seem to be forgetting familiar places and locations?
9. Does the patient confuse the names of those around them?
10. Is the patient having issues following simple conversations?
11. Is the patient becoming socially withdrawn?
12. Is the patient having trouble following up on appointments?
13. Is the patient becoming more irritable and suspicious than before?
14. Is the patient becoming more anxious and delusional?
15. Is the patient having problems with simple math?
16. Is the patient experiencing difficulties while handling money?
17. Is the patient having trouble using household items?
18. Is the patient experiencing physical limitations like walking and doing activities?
19. How long has the patient been experiencing signs of memory loss and confusion?
20. What time of day is the patient active the most?

Alzheimer’s disease does occur on its own in a patient, meaning they are in a morbid condition. This means that a patient is experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s only, which involve confusion and memory loss. However, in many cases, the disease becomes a comorbid condition. This means that the patient has more than one illness. Comorbid diseases in Alzheimer’s patients may affect the disease’s overall clinical phases and the rate of progression (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019). Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, depression, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cardiovascular diseases are often associated with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease has affected national health negatively in that many elderly people in society continue to get ill without chances of recovery. Delays in diagnosing the disease early are the leading cause of the high cost of treatment. This leads to the patient needing a caregiver throughout the treatment period. Many of the caregivers suffer from increased emotional stress, and adverse mental health that may affect their personal lives. This leads to an increament in the number of people suffering from mental health problems.

Healthy People 2030 has set goals and objectives for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. These objectives are set to better the lives of Alzheimer’s patients and their families. Healthy People 2030 also provides a platform where people can get information on Alzheimer’s disease and learn about taking care of patients suffering from it. Some of the objectives include:

• Increasing the number of adults who talk to a provider about their subjective cognitive decline. The subjective cognitive decline mainly involves memory loss and confusion, which may be an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019). By increasing the number of people who talk about their symptoms, Healthy People 2030 can care for them and provide medication at an early phase before the disease progresses.
• Improve the health and quality of life of people living with Alzheimer’s (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [ODPHP], n.d.). This means increasing the degree to which an individual suffering from Alzheimer’s enjoys life, is healthy, comfortable, and can participate in and enjoy daily events. This can be achieved by helping them keep a routine, being patient with them, helping them connect, exercising with them, allowing them to help when they want, and giving them choices about things.
• They are increasing the number of caregivers. Healthy People 2030 aims at increasing the number of people who know about Alzheimer’s disease and can provide care to patients (ODPHP, n.d.). This will ensure that the country is not faced with a shortage of caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients. It also ensures that many people in the community are educated about the disease and how they can care for their loved ones if affected.
• Reduce the number of older adults hospitalized due to Alzheimer’s disease. By increasing the number of caregivers, Healthy People 2030 will be able to reduce the number of people in hospitals. Patients, once admitted, will stay in hospitals for a short time until a caregiver suited for them is provided. This will also help the state to decongest Alzheimer’s patients in hospitals around the country.

Alzheimer’s disease is an unpreventable chronic disease that the government should educate the people more about. Learning about the disease and its symptoms will help people look out for the signs in their loved ones. This will make it possible to diagnose the disease in its early stages, making it easier to start medication early and reducing the cost of treatment for the economy. People should also learn how to provide care for those already suffering from the disease to make their better.

References

Alzheimer’s Association. (2019). 2019 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 15(3), 321–387. Web.

Breijyeh, Z., & Karaman, R. (2020). Comprehensive review on Alzheimer’s disease: causes and treatment. Molecules, 25(24), 5789. Web.

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease workgroup. Healthy People 2030. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Web.