Alzheimer's Disease - Administrative Pathway to Assessment!
To be continued …
Alzheimer's Disease is best depicted through caregivers' sufferings with verbal expressions like ...
Awful disease into our lives; grandpa completely changed on the outside; family emotionally torn apart; one moment in full conversation and laughing; next ... forgotten who I was; how hard to try and explain who you are to someone; something ... would never imagined happening but does to many people every day (Hull, 2019)
Alzheimer's Disease: If your loved ones have Alzheimer's or related Dementia, they are most likely suffering from "cognitive skill" disability. It is now considered "the fastest growing" epidemic in America (Perlmutter, 2018). With no known prevention, treatment, or cure, it is the 6th leading cause of death in the US. Often, Alzheimer's patients suffer from disturbing changes in their mood, resulting into a heightened level of confusion. The progression of the disease spreads along three stages: mild, moderate, and severe, each with its pertinent symptoms. (Vorkapich, 2018).
In the US, its prevalence is expected to increase three-fold by 2050, impacting the lives of 16 million Americans & countless number of family caregivers. Worldwide, its prevalence will increase two-fold every two decades, affecting the lives of 75 million in 2030 & 131.5 million in 2050. Needless to say, the increase rate of these "cognitive skill" disabilities will more likely push health care costs to stratospheric levels - crippling our health care system (Perlmutter, 2018).
Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease: Understandably, it is difficult to identify whether the symptoms presented are "age-related" or "Alzheimer's-related" changes. As such, individuals are to consult with their doctor(s). Along with multiple diagnostic tests, their provider(s) could better identify the symptoms & root causes (problems).
There are three stages - preclinical, mild cognitive, impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's dementia. At the outset, there are no symptoms - the nerve cells in the brain begin to change, but with no symptoms showing. Then, it becomes quite complicated with memory & thinking problems (non-age related issues) begin to show. Finally, the disease takes on serious impairments like memory loss, difficulties with words, and visual & spatial issues (Hull, 2019).
As a prologue to further tests, the Alzheimer's Association has developed a list of warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. Present one or more of these following symptoms, individuals ought to see their doctor(s) - www.alz.org/10signs. - The following is an edited excerpt:
- Memory loss interrupting daily personal & professional life;
- Challenges in planning activities or solving problems;
- Difficulty "carry on" common tasks at home, work, or leisure;
- Inability to identify time or place;
- Difficulty grasping visual images & spatial relationships;
- Progressive problems with words in speaking or writing;
- Misplacing things & losing the capacity to retrace events;
- Decreased or poor judgement;
- Withdrawal from work or social activities;
- Changes in mood & personality.
Alzheimer's Navigator: Once individuals are diagnosed with the Alzheimer's disease, the kinetics within the family will most likely change. The relationship will more likely alter from an interdependent to a patient-caregiver dependency one. In such settings, the patients will seek directions from family caregivers.
Typically, a diagnosis of Alzheimer's typically stokes uncertainty about the next steps. With more than 16 million Alzheimer's caregivers available, the patient & family members would most likely get inundated with loads of inquiries & messages. So to better negotiate such tumultuous pathways, the Alzheimer's Navigator will guide patients as well as their caregivers through their painful ordeal.
The Navigator will present the users with a set of questions. And, based on the answers provided, the participants are afforded a customized step-by-step action plan to include 1) knowledge of Alzheimer's disease; 2) symptoms and behaviors; 3) legal & financial planning; 4) caregiver support, among others. Since the online tool is interactive, participants could update their plans through the progression of the disease. The navigator works in conjunction with the association's Community Resource Finder (www.alz.org/CRF) of local programs, resources, and services.
Caregiver Stress Check: Caring for individuals with cognitive skill disabilities like Alzheimer's & Dementia is expectedly stressful. Constant stress is considered one of the health risk parameters with prolonged long-term health & mental effects. Therefore, it is important to be realistic about what one can manage. To assess one's stress level, caregivers could take the Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Stress Check - www.alz.org/care. Resources include:
- Contact local Alzheimer's Association chapter for resources;
- Further knowledge about Alzheimer's disease;
- Enhance knowledge and skills by attending workshops;
- Get help from family, friends, & community;
- Accept changes as are;
- Care for yourself by keeping your diet in line, your medical appointments, and exercise;
- Have legal & financial plans in place;
- Accept your limitations, as you can't do everything on your own;
- Don't feel guilty if & when lose patience;
- Give yourself credit for your accomplishments;
Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch: This is a free easy-to-use clinical studies matching service for cognitive skills disabled patients, caregivers and volunteers. The TrialMatch offers access to a set of databases of Alzheimer's research studies. How does TrialMatch Work? 1) Create a free account; 2) Create your user profile; 3) Fill out a questionnaire; 4) Review your study matches. After creating an account, you complete a profile for yourself or for multiple individuals. Next, you fill out a questionnaire. Then, you review your study matches - - www.alz.org/TrialMatch
Alzheimer's Association Community Outreach: The Alzheimer's Association fields about 310,000 calls a year through its 24-hour hotline. Their telephone support groups will reach out to patients and their families about their concerns, and will direct them to useful resources like local community support groups.
Resources:
Ansberry, Clare. (2018, Dec. 11). Helping Hands, WSJ, p. A11
Ansberry, Clare. (2018, Dec. 11). Turning Points: In Rural Areas, Helping the Elderly. WSJ, p. A11 - Growing older in remote places often means dealing with shortages of health-care professionals.
Hull, Jewel. (2019, June 13). Coping with Alzheimer's. The Lake Murray Fish Wrapper. www.lexingtonchronicle.com, p. 12
Perlmutter, David. (2018, Dec. 18). Mental Health: The Brain Health-Blood Sugar Connection You Need to Know About. Mind Body Green, https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/the-connection-between-blood-sugar-and-alzheimers-disease?_lrsc=61782b01-d124-4f4b-b894-eb94394238ed&dtid=osolin001080
Vorkapich, Marc. (2018, Dec. 30). #Alzheimers. LinkedIn, https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/
Other Links:
Amnesty Health Group
Carroll Campbell Place - www.CarrollCampbellPlace.com
Regenerative Health 360
Still Hopes Episcopal Community - www.Stillhopes.org