How To Write A Research Paper On Alzheimer's

Journal 4: The Alzheimer’s Patient Over the semester, I have been blessed with the opportunity to build a relationship with J, an Alzheimer’s patient, through hospice care. In class, we discussed the aging systems in the body and one of them happened to be Alzheimer’s. We defined it as a neurodegenerative disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior that is associated with intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular amyloid beta plaques. Although this histology is present in aging adults, patients with Alzheimer’s have significantly more build up. The disease normally commences in the hippocampus and progresses to other cortical areas. When I met J, he displayed symptoms that correlated with early to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, such as memory loss, confusion, repetition of phrases and words, etc. Other symptoms included bradykinesia and John’s episodes (falling asleep). As the semester progressed, I had the opportunity to watch J’s disease progress. In my last few visits, I noticed J’s condition worsen. He began to sleep more frequently and
take longer naps, displaying changes in personality, and have bouts of agitation. In one of my recent visits, J’s wife explained how he was agitated with her. He was yelling and refusing to take his medication. As she spoke, I could tell that she was emotionally drained. She expressed how grateful she was for hospice care and their resources. There are so many resources that hospice care provides the families of the dying.
One of the resources they provide is contact to sources that are associated with the disease, such as other families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. During J’s episode, his wife called the head of the Alzheimer’s Association in Macon to explain the current situation. She explained to J’s wife that his agitation stemmed from the changing weather. She further explained that Alzheimer’s patients are extremely sensitive to change. Afterwards J’s wife called the on-call hospice nurse. The nurse arrived after me and convinced J that he needed to take his medication. As she pulled J’s wife to the side, I stayed by J’s beside and made sure he finished his food and drank all his water. I overheard the nurse explain options for J including nursing homes. After J finished his food, I sang hymnals and told him
stories. This experience has given me exposure to a new realm of medicine. Prior to taking Biology of Aging, I had very limited knowledge on hospice and palliative care. However, over the course of the semester, I have been exposed to the benefits and the challenges in hospice care. Some of the benefits include providing resources for patients and their families, allowing a person to die with dignity, and providing comfort. I have also been intimately exposed the process of dying. During these times, I have had time to reflect on my own life. I realized how important it is to live life to the fullest while taking care of myself and making my life meaningful. Although J could not access his memories when he wanted to, the faint ones that he can assess are the most meaningful one. As an aspiring physician, I believe this experience has allowed me understand the importance of the biopsychosocial model of disease. Hospice care strives to incorporate this model in its care by providing volunteers, incorporating patient and caregiver input and combing it with professional medical advice. When I become a physician, I want to be the kind of physician that is compassionate towards my patient. I want to be a physician that is an advocate and listens to their needs. I do not want to treat only the symptoms of their disease, but also understand and take care of their overall health which includes the psychological and social.