Essay On Alzheimers

We know that a combination of lack of public and professional awareness, late diagnosis, negative media images, myths, stereotypes and negative experiences all contribute to a general fear of dementia. Individuals and carers can be supported to overcome their fears. There are many ways that individuals and careers can be supported is by gaining information and advice from going online, reading book’s/ leaflets, discussing the issue with other family members.

The development of a dementia environment approach will highly impact the improvement of life of people living with dementia involving their family and carers, evidently reducing the stigma linked with the condition. The need to physically and socially design an approach for the progressing ageing population, and better comprehension of the issues affecting the dementia suffering elderly. Life Community Village is a specially designed and self-contained village for dementia-affected people imitating a normal daily life. It visions a change of approach in dementia care in the future and cope with the growing number of issues of dementia in the ageing population. Its mission on the other hand, is focused on delivering a holistic and person-centric approach by leading and optimizing a normal life for dementia-suffering elderly. Also providing a dementia-friendly community and creating a society that the dementia-suffering person can engage in. In the current increasing population of older Australians, there is over a million that has received a form of aged care support and services every year. This is provided through the collaboration of funding and administration of the local, state and federal government. Meanwhile, according to Australian statistics, there are more than 353,800 who are living with dementia. In less than five years, it is projected to rise to 400,000; and due to the fact that there is currently no cure for the condition, and with the

• Every individual, including individuals with dementia, has their unique life history, lifestyle, culture and preferences, including their likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests, which makes an individualised approach in care necessary.

Dementia does not only impact the people with symptoms and it also disturbs the people who must care for the person. It is estimated that 1.2 million people are involved in the care of people with dementia. It has a financial burden on the Australian economy $4.9 billion in 2009-10. (1)

This essay will aim to introduce the term dementia including the types, causes, prevalence, young onset and models of care. This essay will continue to address what skill could be implemented to provide person centred care with understanding of health promotion and recovery concepts.

The main motives include providing more knowledge and understanding of dementia and also its effect on behaviour as well as it progression rate. Provide carers with an impressive understanding of available local support services and how they can be accessed. It also aims at assisting in surpassing the shock relating to an initial diagnosis of dementia as well as ways to maximize life and well-being.

Dementia is an extremely common disease among the elderly, with 4 million Americans currently suffering from the Alzheimer’s type alone. Figures show that 3% of people between the ages of 65-74 suffer from the disease, rapidly increasing to 19% for the 75-84 age bracket, and as high as 47% for the over 85s. Therefore, it is easy to see why Dementia is such a large part of many people’s lives, whether they are suffering from the condition themselves, or have an elderly relative who requires full time care just to undertake simple day to day tasks. The disease can be extremely traumatic for the patient and their families, as the person, who may have been extremely lively and bright throughout their

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease can be a complex task. It can be frustrating, confusing, emotionally draining and physically exhausting, the local Alzheimer Society is a great aid for a range of accessible services and resources for those experiencing different stages of Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, as well as, support to caregivers and other health professionals.

In the pamphlet Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease, the Alzheimer’s Association adds late onset, traditionally known simply as Alzheimer’s, targets primarily people 65 and older. The disease follows a series of steps from mild decline with little noticed changes to very severe cognitive decline where the final stage of the disease is in progress (Basic 19-21). Throughout the stages, independence becomes lost and family members will become care takers and in the later stages nursing homes or hospice may be needed. One book encourages the care giver to communicate through body language, tone, and written instructions to help alleviate as much stress as possible for those living with Alzheimer’s (Living 47). The book further adds when caring for a person with Alzheimer’s remember to maintain patience and to show respect .

Alzheimer’s disease is “a debilitating neurological illness characterised by significant impairment of cognition, especially in new learning and executive functions” (Simm, Jamieson, Ong, Garner & Kinsella, 2015, pg. 501). Its impact is not only felt by the individual, but also by family and friends who care for the diagnosed. It causes a change in the way many older adults age, adding more complications and a level of fear for their future, which has ultimately changed the way society views and handles aging. Social workers can play an immense role in helping ease this transition for those suffering, providing support, education, and resources for the individual and their family. Alzheimer’s can be extremely frightening for families dealing

Since the voice of medicine is focused on biomedical goal, the need to place billions of dollars towards Alzheimer’s research is essential. Data shows that when money is invested in research towards diseases such as, heart disease, HIV, and cancer it reduces the death rate. Just like cancer and HIV where medication is available, the goals of managing Alzheimer’s disease in the voice of medicine would be working works towards not just understanding disease better, but creating a treatment for it. On the other hand, the goals of managing Alzheimer’s disease in the voice of lifeworld would be through being sensitive to the context and mutual understanding, (Lo and Bahar 2013). Those who have a family member who suffer from this disease

The target audience is anyone who encounters dementia patients their family members, students and healthcare professionals

The majority of the nation may know what the disease is but they won’t know the impact it has on everyone involved. Many times, caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients are their own family members and it becomes much more difficult to care when the family and friends are treated like strangers. This can be very frustrating for both parties and stressful for the giver. Caregivers have been found to suffer from depression and have been shown to have high levels of stress. As the number of Alzheimer’s disease grow, so will the amount of caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association believes that the United States should expect to see a 40 percent increase in the number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease by the year 2025, and it is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States (alz.org). What this basically tells us is that the nation should become more aware of the ins and outs of Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, practically everyone knows someone suffering with diabetes. Very soon, it will be the same situation with

It is necessary for caregivers to put their own needs first, before they take on the responsibility of looking after a loved one affected by dementia. Offering a long term support group, that also incorporates education into it, for informal caregivers tending to older adults affected by dementia, can be extremely helpful for those who are wanting to strive through this time in their life. The goal of this group is to help participants gain a better understanding on how to handle stress, get them to recognize and encounter their own needs, and decrease their isolation, by building up a healthier support system.

It is quite frequent that one hears about all the data and statistics regarding the health care of individuals living with cognitive disorders like that of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, however; it is not often that the people who are closest to those individuals are looked into as much. Caregiving, no matter in what shape it comes in, takes it’s toll on the individual and can affect their own well-being. With the expected amount of people living with dementia going to double in the next decades, the well-being of those around them are what is going to maintain their health as much as possible. Through counseling, spouses and lovers of those affected