Health Related Issues Paper
Identification of Health Related Issues
As started in a previous paper, the population that will be reviewed for the remainder of this course is elderly stricken with Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s population chosen are aged 65-85 who are not currently diagnosed with multiple comorbidities. This paper will discuss health related issues relevant to this population, potential environmental hazards, health promotions, and community services available to those affected by Alzheimer’s.
Health Issues
There are multiple health related issues to Alzheimer’s. Patients affected with Alzheimer’s are at higher risk for getting pneumonia due to the inability to swallow properly. Aspiration pneumonia is the leading cause of death in Alzheimer’s patients …show more content…
(Wegerer, 2014). They are at higher risk of falls due to poor balance which can lead to fractures or even head injuries. Malnutrition and dehydration are also common in those affected due to the increased inability to swallow or even forgetting to eat or drink. Depression is also prevalent in those stricken with the disease. Some don’t have the ability to communicate due to their cognitive decline, so the lack of social interaction puts them at higher risk for depression (Wegerer, 2014).
Environmental Hazards
There are multiple environmental hazards that need to be addressed when living with someone with Alzheimer’s. According to the International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, functional and cognitive impairments associated with this disease puts them at higher risk with many things. There’re at increased risk with falling, cooking, driving, wandering, home fires, medication problems, sharps, and even firearms. The home in which they reside needs to have proper safety measures in place. In early stages if one drives, they may forget simple directions or traffic laws which can end in multiple injuries or death. Those who cook can cause fires by forgetting to turn off the oven or stove. Forgetting medications or taking too many when unsure if taken earlier. The list goes on and on. Educating families on home safety is imperative. Taking adequate steps needed to protect them from harm may include stove knob covers, keyed doorknobs, motion sensors, surge protectors, smoke alarms, medicine case, grab bars, and more. Educating them on home safety by providing the patient and family with a home safety workbook would be essential (Horvath, Trudeau, Rudolph, Trudeau, & Berlowitz, 2013).
I interviewed Jennifer Fogel, a daughter of an Alzheimer’s patient. She states “It is so hard watching my mother struggle with Alzheimer’s. She continues to tell us she wants to go home, when she is home. She tries to leave the house so we’ve had to place locks and alarms for when she tries to run off. She gets so frustrated and angry and it’s just so upsetting to watch her go through this.” (J. Fogel, personal communication, January 3, 2017). This interview shows the importance of having safety measures in place for those struggling with this disease.
Health Promotion Activities and Community Resources
Health promotion activities may help prolong the onset of the disease or even slow the progression. Research reveals that regular participation in physical activity greater than 150 minutes per week may present a protective part in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s (Loprinzi, 2015). Another health promotion is incorporating occupational therapy into their daily routine to maintain their activities of daily living (ADL’s). Working with those affected with Alzheimer’s, the occupational therapy practitioners organize ADL’s, sleep, rest, work, play, and social participation (Letts, et. al., 2011). It is important to have them engage in their own care to improve their quality of life. According to a journal article Nutrition and Alzheimer’s disease, as the disease progresses the cognitive deficiencies worsen and many have disorders with eating and weight loss. Health promotion programs aim at preventing weight loss using tools like nutrition calendars, nutritional assessments, and education classes (Riviere, Gillette-Guyonnet, Nourhashemi, & Vellas, 1999). According to the CDC website, reaching out to the caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients is important. Suitable training on expectations and giving them the adequate information and tools needed is vital. In doing this, these caregivers were less depressed and were less likely to leave their loved ones unsupervised to wander or access hazardous objects (CDC, n.d.).
There are various community services available to those with Alzheimer’s and their families. Alz.org, has multiple programs and support. They have a 24-hour helpline and a support program for those having a hard time and may need to reach out to others going through the same thing. Additionally, they have educational programs, online tools, as well as safety information that is available through the website (Alz.org, n.d.). Adult day care centers are another service provided to people with Alzheimer’s. They can have a day of socializing in a safe environment and participate in activities beneficial to them. They are surrounded by trained staff who specialize in this disease and offer multiple services such as counseling, behavioral management, nutrition, and personal care (Alz.org, n.d.). The AARP website also has a community program that incorporates arts which can trigger memory, and allows Alzheimer’s patients to use their imagination. They have several projects, like the Alzheimer’s poetry project where poets narrate well-known poems and ask the patients and their caregivers to join in. ARTZ (Artists for Alzheimer’s) is where patients and caregivers can get free weekly tours to museums, movies, and musical performances. Memories in the making, helps Alzheimer’s patients express themselves through painting or other mediums to express themselves (AARP, n.d.). I interviewed Robert Clemens, a husband of a beautiful 69-year-old women struggling with Alzheimer’s. He talked about how his wife Rose responds to Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand. He stated, “If she is having a hard time and starts getting frustrated, all I do is put on the CD of Barbara Streisand or Neil Diamond and she lights up and starts singing with joy. She also loves watching old movies, I guess it brings her back and everything seems to be better, even if it’s only for a little while.” (R, Clemens, personal communication, January 3, 2017). This interview confirms that incorporating arts and music to help those suffering may have beneficial affects to those battling Alzheimer’s.
Conclusion
This paper has addressed various health related issues relevant to Alzheimer’s, and environmental hazards that affect those with the disease. I have discussed multiple health promotions and activities that can be incorporated in the care of those with Alzheimer’s. I’ve also pointed out various community services available to Alzheimer’s patients and their families. This population is growing daily and the more we learn about this disease with evidence based practices, the better we will be able to manage those afflicted with the disease.
References
AARP website (n.d.). http://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/info-07-2012/creative-arts-programs-alzheimers-dementia-patients.html
Alz.org. (n.d.). https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-adult-day-centers.asp
Alz.org. (n.d.). http://www.alz.org/i-have-alz/programs-and-support.asp
CDC website.
(n.d.). www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/alzheimers.htm
Horvath, K. J., Trudeau, S. A., Rudolph, J. L., Trudeau, P. A., Duffy, M. E., & Berlowitz, D. (2013). Clinical trial of a home safety toolkit for alzheimer's disease. International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2013, 913606. doi:10.1155/2013/913606
Letts, L., Edwards, M., Berenyi, J., Moros, K., O'Neill, C., O'Toole, C., & McGrath, C. (2011). Using occupations to improve quality of life, health and wellness, and client and caregiver satisfaction for people with alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy: Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 65(5), 497-504. doi:10.5014/ajot.2011.002584
Loprinzi, P. D. (2015). Need for increased promotion of physical activity among adults at risk for alzheimer's disease: A brief report. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 12(12), 1601-1604.
Rivière, S., Gillette‐Guyonnet, S., Nourhashemi, F., & Vellas, B. (1999). Nutrition and alzheimer's disease. Nutrition Reviews, 57(12), 363-367. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.1999.tb06918.x
Wegerer, J. (2014). 6 Health ailments that accompany alzheimer’s. Retrieved from
http://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-17/alzheimers-health-ailments/
As started in a previous paper, the population that will be reviewed for the remainder of this course is elderly stricken with Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s population chosen are aged 65-85 who are not currently diagnosed with multiple comorbidities. This paper will discuss health related issues relevant to this population, potential environmental hazards, health promotions, and community services available to those affected by Alzheimer’s.
Health Issues
There are multiple health related issues to Alzheimer’s. Patients affected with Alzheimer’s are at higher risk for getting pneumonia due to the inability to swallow properly. Aspiration pneumonia is the leading cause of death in Alzheimer’s patients …show more content…
(Wegerer, 2014). They are at higher risk of falls due to poor balance which can lead to fractures or even head injuries. Malnutrition and dehydration are also common in those affected due to the increased inability to swallow or even forgetting to eat or drink. Depression is also prevalent in those stricken with the disease. Some don’t have the ability to communicate due to their cognitive decline, so the lack of social interaction puts them at higher risk for depression (Wegerer, 2014).
Environmental Hazards
There are multiple environmental hazards that need to be addressed when living with someone with Alzheimer’s. According to the International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, functional and cognitive impairments associated with this disease puts them at higher risk with many things. There’re at increased risk with falling, cooking, driving, wandering, home fires, medication problems, sharps, and even firearms. The home in which they reside needs to have proper safety measures in place. In early stages if one drives, they may forget simple directions or traffic laws which can end in multiple injuries or death. Those who cook can cause fires by forgetting to turn off the oven or stove. Forgetting medications or taking too many when unsure if taken earlier. The list goes on and on. Educating families on home safety is imperative. Taking adequate steps needed to protect them from harm may include stove knob covers, keyed doorknobs, motion sensors, surge protectors, smoke alarms, medicine case, grab bars, and more. Educating them on home safety by providing the patient and family with a home safety workbook would be essential (Horvath, Trudeau, Rudolph, Trudeau, & Berlowitz, 2013).
I interviewed Jennifer Fogel, a daughter of an Alzheimer’s patient. She states “It is so hard watching my mother struggle with Alzheimer’s. She continues to tell us she wants to go home, when she is home. She tries to leave the house so we’ve had to place locks and alarms for when she tries to run off. She gets so frustrated and angry and it’s just so upsetting to watch her go through this.” (J. Fogel, personal communication, January 3, 2017). This interview shows the importance of having safety measures in place for those struggling with this disease.
Health Promotion Activities and Community Resources
Health promotion activities may help prolong the onset of the disease or even slow the progression. Research reveals that regular participation in physical activity greater than 150 minutes per week may present a protective part in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s (Loprinzi, 2015). Another health promotion is incorporating occupational therapy into their daily routine to maintain their activities of daily living (ADL’s). Working with those affected with Alzheimer’s, the occupational therapy practitioners organize ADL’s, sleep, rest, work, play, and social participation (Letts, et. al., 2011). It is important to have them engage in their own care to improve their quality of life. According to a journal article Nutrition and Alzheimer’s disease, as the disease progresses the cognitive deficiencies worsen and many have disorders with eating and weight loss. Health promotion programs aim at preventing weight loss using tools like nutrition calendars, nutritional assessments, and education classes (Riviere, Gillette-Guyonnet, Nourhashemi, & Vellas, 1999). According to the CDC website, reaching out to the caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients is important. Suitable training on expectations and giving them the adequate information and tools needed is vital. In doing this, these caregivers were less depressed and were less likely to leave their loved ones unsupervised to wander or access hazardous objects (CDC, n.d.).
There are various community services available to those with Alzheimer’s and their families. Alz.org, has multiple programs and support. They have a 24-hour helpline and a support program for those having a hard time and may need to reach out to others going through the same thing. Additionally, they have educational programs, online tools, as well as safety information that is available through the website (Alz.org, n.d.). Adult day care centers are another service provided to people with Alzheimer’s. They can have a day of socializing in a safe environment and participate in activities beneficial to them. They are surrounded by trained staff who specialize in this disease and offer multiple services such as counseling, behavioral management, nutrition, and personal care (Alz.org, n.d.). The AARP website also has a community program that incorporates arts which can trigger memory, and allows Alzheimer’s patients to use their imagination. They have several projects, like the Alzheimer’s poetry project where poets narrate well-known poems and ask the patients and their caregivers to join in. ARTZ (Artists for Alzheimer’s) is where patients and caregivers can get free weekly tours to museums, movies, and musical performances. Memories in the making, helps Alzheimer’s patients express themselves through painting or other mediums to express themselves (AARP, n.d.). I interviewed Robert Clemens, a husband of a beautiful 69-year-old women struggling with Alzheimer’s. He talked about how his wife Rose responds to Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand. He stated, “If she is having a hard time and starts getting frustrated, all I do is put on the CD of Barbara Streisand or Neil Diamond and she lights up and starts singing with joy. She also loves watching old movies, I guess it brings her back and everything seems to be better, even if it’s only for a little while.” (R, Clemens, personal communication, January 3, 2017). This interview confirms that incorporating arts and music to help those suffering may have beneficial affects to those battling Alzheimer’s.
Conclusion
This paper has addressed various health related issues relevant to Alzheimer’s, and environmental hazards that affect those with the disease. I have discussed multiple health promotions and activities that can be incorporated in the care of those with Alzheimer’s. I’ve also pointed out various community services available to Alzheimer’s patients and their families. This population is growing daily and the more we learn about this disease with evidence based practices, the better we will be able to manage those afflicted with the disease.
References
AARP website (n.d.). http://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/info-07-2012/creative-arts-programs-alzheimers-dementia-patients.html
Alz.org. (n.d.). https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-adult-day-centers.asp
Alz.org. (n.d.). http://www.alz.org/i-have-alz/programs-and-support.asp
CDC website.
(n.d.). www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/alzheimers.htm
Horvath, K. J., Trudeau, S. A., Rudolph, J. L., Trudeau, P. A., Duffy, M. E., & Berlowitz, D. (2013). Clinical trial of a home safety toolkit for alzheimer's disease. International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2013, 913606. doi:10.1155/2013/913606
Letts, L., Edwards, M., Berenyi, J., Moros, K., O'Neill, C., O'Toole, C., & McGrath, C. (2011). Using occupations to improve quality of life, health and wellness, and client and caregiver satisfaction for people with alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy: Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 65(5), 497-504. doi:10.5014/ajot.2011.002584
Loprinzi, P. D. (2015). Need for increased promotion of physical activity among adults at risk for alzheimer's disease: A brief report. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 12(12), 1601-1604.
Rivière, S., Gillette‐Guyonnet, S., Nourhashemi, F., & Vellas, B. (1999). Nutrition and alzheimer's disease. Nutrition Reviews, 57(12), 363-367. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.1999.tb06918.x
Wegerer, J. (2014). 6 Health ailments that accompany alzheimer’s. Retrieved from
http://www.alzheimers.net/2014-04-17/alzheimers-health-ailments/