CARE OF THE OLDER PERSON (NURSING TOPIC)
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA
Risk Factors
· Advanced age
· Genetic predisposition
· Environmental agents) herpes virus, metal, or toxic waste)
· Previous head injury
Stages (AD/DEMENTIA)
Stage 1: No impairment
(Normal function)
· No memory problems
Stage 2: Very mild cognitive decline
(May be normal age-related changes or very early signs of AD)
· Forgetfulness, especially of everyday objects (eyeglasses or wallet)
· No memory problems evident to provider, friends, or coworkers
Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline
(Problems with memory or concentration may be measurable in clinical testing or during a detailed medical
interview)
· Mild cognitive deficits, including losing or misplacing important objects
· Decreased ability to plan
· Short-term memory loss noticeable to close relatives
· Decreased attention span
· Difficulty remembering words or names
· Difficulty in social or work situations
Stage 4: Moderate cognitive decline
(Mild or early-stage AD; medical interview will detect clear-cut deficiencies)
, · Personality changes – Appearing withdrawn or subdued especially in social or mentally challenging situations
· Obvious memory loss
· Limited knowledge and memory of recent occasions, current events, or personal history
· Difficulty performing tasks that require planning and organizing (paying bills or managing money)
· Difficulty with complex mental arithmetic
STAGE 5: MODERATELY SEVERE COGNITIVE DECLINE
(Moderate or mid-stage AD)
· Increasing cognitive deficits emerge
· Inability to recall important details such as address, telephone number, or schools attended, but memory of
information of self and family remains intact
· Disorientation and confusion as to time and place
STAGE 6: SEVERE COGNITIVE DECLINE
(Moderately severe or mid-stage AD)
· Memory difficulties continue to worsen
· Loss of awareness of recent events and surroundings
· May recall own name, but unable to recall personal history
· Significant personality changes are evident (delusions, hallucinations, and compulsive behaviors)
· Wandering behavior
· Requires assistance with usual daily activities such as dressing, toileting, and other grooming
· Normal sleep/wake cycle is disrupted
· Increased episodes of urinary and fecal incontinence
STAGE 7: VERY SEVERE COGNITIVE DECLINE
(Severe or late-stage AD)
· Ability to respond to environment, speak, and control movement is lost
· Unrecognizable speech
· General urinary incontinence
· Inability to eat without assistance and impaired swallowing
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA
Risk Factors
· Advanced age
· Genetic predisposition
· Environmental agents) herpes virus, metal, or toxic waste)
· Previous head injury
Stages (AD/DEMENTIA)
Stage 1: No impairment
(Normal function)
· No memory problems
Stage 2: Very mild cognitive decline
(May be normal age-related changes or very early signs of AD)
· Forgetfulness, especially of everyday objects (eyeglasses or wallet)
· No memory problems evident to provider, friends, or coworkers
Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline
(Problems with memory or concentration may be measurable in clinical testing or during a detailed medical
interview)
· Mild cognitive deficits, including losing or misplacing important objects
· Decreased ability to plan
· Short-term memory loss noticeable to close relatives
· Decreased attention span
· Difficulty remembering words or names
· Difficulty in social or work situations
Stage 4: Moderate cognitive decline
(Mild or early-stage AD; medical interview will detect clear-cut deficiencies)
, · Personality changes – Appearing withdrawn or subdued especially in social or mentally challenging situations
· Obvious memory loss
· Limited knowledge and memory of recent occasions, current events, or personal history
· Difficulty performing tasks that require planning and organizing (paying bills or managing money)
· Difficulty with complex mental arithmetic
STAGE 5: MODERATELY SEVERE COGNITIVE DECLINE
(Moderate or mid-stage AD)
· Increasing cognitive deficits emerge
· Inability to recall important details such as address, telephone number, or schools attended, but memory of
information of self and family remains intact
· Disorientation and confusion as to time and place
STAGE 6: SEVERE COGNITIVE DECLINE
(Moderately severe or mid-stage AD)
· Memory difficulties continue to worsen
· Loss of awareness of recent events and surroundings
· May recall own name, but unable to recall personal history
· Significant personality changes are evident (delusions, hallucinations, and compulsive behaviors)
· Wandering behavior
· Requires assistance with usual daily activities such as dressing, toileting, and other grooming
· Normal sleep/wake cycle is disrupted
· Increased episodes of urinary and fecal incontinence
STAGE 7: VERY SEVERE COGNITIVE DECLINE
(Severe or late-stage AD)
· Ability to respond to environment, speak, and control movement is lost
· Unrecognizable speech
· General urinary incontinence
· Inability to eat without assistance and impaired swallowing
