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Alzheimer's Theory

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Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic illness which degrades the neural ganglia of effected individuals. This typically results in a rapid decline of the individual’s mental health. Behavioral, cognitive, and emotional changes will be noticed within the individual at varying levels of severity. However, there is no cure in order to prevent the progression of the disease. Today, it is estimated that about 5.5 million Americans suffer from this degenerative disease. It is a growing area of concern which needs rapid medical attention. Research on Alzheimer’s disease has been increasingly published in hopes of gaining an understanding of the disease in order to develop treatment or prevention plans. Health psychologists can assist the individual by allowing them to learn to live with the disease. This is seen through the use of psychological theories which allow the individual to understand their behavior in terms of their health. …show more content…

While suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, both the patient and caregiver are experiencing elevate amounts of stress. This stress can be furtherly damaging to the body as it increases one’s blood pressure as well as increases the risk of heart related diseases. One study showed that through teaching self-efficacy to both the patient and the caregiver, a short term effect was a lowered blood pressure as well as decrease risk of heart conditions (Harmell, et al., 2011). Self-efficacy teaches the individual the potential they have at succeeding. For the patient, this shows them the control they still have over their health. This allows the individual to put an idea into action by strengthening their mind and mental capability. This theory can be applied by starting with a small goal of remembering the name of the individual’s caregiver or loved one’s while eventually working their way towards a bigger

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