Kristinelou Marie N.

Reyna
BSN 3

List common diseases of the elderly.

1. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
a. Definition:
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a nonreversible type of dementia that progressively develops over many
years. Alzheimer's disease involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. A
special framework made up of seven stages has been designed to categorize the disease and its
manifestations. The framework is based on three general stages: early stage, mid stage, and late
stage.

b. Signs and Symptoms:

Stage 1:
 No memory problems
Stage 2:
 Forgetfulness, especially of everyday objects
Stage 3:
 Mild cognitive deficits, including losing or misplacing important objects
 Decreased ability to plan
 Short-term memory loss noticeable to close relatives
 Decreased attention span
 Difficulty remembering words or names
 Difficulty in social or work situations
 Stage 4:
 Personality changes – appearing withdrawn or subdued, especially in social or mentally
challenging situations
 Obvious memory loss
 Limited knowledge and memory of recent occasions, current events, or personal history
 Difficulty performing tasks that require planning and organizing (paying bills or managing
money)
 Difficulty with complex mental arithmetic
Stage 5:
 Increasing cognitive deficits emerge
 Assistance with ADLs becomes necessary
 Disorientation and confusion as to time and place
Stage 6:
 Memory difficulties continue to worsen
 Loss of awareness of recent events and surroundings
 May recall own name, but unable to recall personal history
 Significant personality changes are evident (delusions, hallucinations, and compulsive
behaviors)
 Wandering behavior
 Normal sleep/wake cycle is disrupted
 Increased episodes of urinary and fecal incontinence
Stage 7:
 Ability to respond to environment, speak, and control movement is lost
 Unrecognizable speech
 General urinary incontinence
 Inability to eat without assistance and impaired swallowing
 Ataxia

c. Management:
 Take medications as prescribed.
 Always keep keys, wallets, mobile phones and other valuables in the same place at home, so
they don't become lost.
 Keep medications in a secure location. Use a daily checklist to keep track of dosages.
 Arrange for finances to be on automatic payment and automatic deposit.
 Have the person with Alzheimer's carry a mobile phone with location capability so that a
caregiver can track its location. Program important phone numbers into the phone.
 Install alarm sensors on doors and windows.
 Make sure regular appointments are on the same day at the same time as much as possible.
 Use a calendar or whiteboard in the home to track daily schedules. Build the habit of
checking off completed items.
 Remove excess furniture, clutter and throw rugs.
 Ensure that shoes and slippers are comfortable and provide good traction. Reduce the
number of mirrors.
 A person with Alzheimer's carries identification or wears a medical alert bracelet.
d. Prevention:
 Stopping smoking.
 Keeping alcohol to a minimum.
 Eating a healthy, balanced diet, including at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every
day.
 Exercising for at least 150 minutes every week by doing moderate-intensity aerobic activity
(such as cycling or fast walking), or as much as you're able to.
 Control and monitor blood pressure through regular health tests.