| Introduction
Alzheimer's disease today is one of the most common
cognitive disorders occurring in the elderly populations.
Such is the severity and occurrence factor of
Alzheimer's disease that incident ratio is said
to double every five years after the age of 60
years, with more than 4 million elderly afflicted
in the United States of America alone. Though
significant advances have been made in both the
diagnosis and the treatment of Alzheimer's disease,
such as the introduction of cholinesterase inhibitors
and antioxidants, however there remains little
knowledge on dementia, which is only one of the
major symptoms of late stage Alzheimer’s
disease. The following paper will thus not only
limit its discussion on some of the commonly occurring
causes; it will also point out its symptoms, modes
of treatments and prognosis. The paper will include
some guidelines for the caregivers, which constitute
a major element in the care and treatment of patients
suffering from late stage Alzheimer’s disease
(Evans et al, 1989).
Some of the Normal Causes/Condition of Late Stage
Alzheimer's
Disease
An individual suffering from late Alzheimer's
disease exhibits signs of startling with sudden,
loud noises. He or she may grasp onto objects
or even people and may not let go which may can
observed while one offers a hand shakes. Another
common condition in the late stage Alzheimer's
disease is the continuous action of suckling of
object. In addition, the late stage Alzheimer's
disease patients reach such a state that they
become totally dependent on their caregivers for
the simplest of every-day tasks including toileting,
eating, dressing, bathing and mobility.
Some of the Most Commonly Noted Symptoms In Late
State Alzheimer’s: Stage of Dementia
The stage of Dementia is such that the elderly
patients suffering from late stage Alzheimer's
disease have little or no memory at all as the
memory aspects of these patients are severely
disturbed or impaired.
Inability to Recognize Family and Friends
One of the most commonly symptoms of the late
stage Alzheimer's disease is their inability to
recognize family and friends, including themselves.
An example to this respect is that individuals
suffering from late stage Alzheimer's disease
may simply refuse to recognize his or her spouse
and may not even recognize him in the mirror.
Inability to Perform Functions of Daily Life
Late stage Alzheimer's disease also causes the
patient to forget some of the simplest of tasks
performed during his daily routine. These may
include such aspects as forgetting how to eat,
bite, chew, or swallow. Hence the severe need
of a caregiver to assist the suffering patient.
Inability to Control Bowel and Bladder Control
As also reiterated in the above lines, patients
suffering from late stage Alzheimer's disease
loose control over their bowel and bladder control,
hence the functions of the toilet cannot be performed
without the assistant of a caregiver.
Difficulties Encountered in Movement and Frailty
Patients suffering from late stage Alzheimer’s
disease has been noticed to consume significantly
good diets and meal supplements. However there
is gradual loss of weight as well as a gradual
decrease of coordinated movements. The lack of
coordinated movement results in an unsteady walking
pattern, and fumbling while trying to grasp onto
objects. Frailty is also one of the symptoms,
because of the weak muscle coordination, in turn
leading to a number of possible infections, and
other forms of physical illnesses.
Inability to Sleep Regularly
Patients suffering from late stage Alzheimer’s
disease are observed to follow a typically un-regular
form of sleep pattern, and in most if not all
cases, there is total loss of sleep, which has
to be compensated with sleeping medications to
assist the patients in their sleeping (Evans et
al, 1989).
From the above, it may be observed that the patients
suffering from late Alzheimer's disease practically
loses all his or her ability to communicate, understand,
as well as both the short term as well as long
term memory. He or she exhibits a continuous spate
of yelling at, shouting, or resistance to the
caregiver's initiatives to assist and help out
in their activities including helping them to
bathe, dress, eat or toiletry functions. In severe
case of late stage Alzheimer's disease, patients
may be required to receive anti-psychotic or calming
medications to calm them down.
Guidelines for Caregivers for Patients of Late
Stage Alzheimer’s disease
Due to the fact that patients suffering from late
stage Alzheimer's disease enter a stage of their
lives where they become totally dependent on their
caregivers, it is of utmost importance to point
out some of the common features and guidelines
which must be taken into account. Since behavior
problems are the largest set of complications
encountered by caregivers, it is essential to
note some of the aspects for addressing the particular
nature of behavior problems exhibited by patient
of late stage Alzheimer's disease (Post and Whitehouse,
1995; Lawton and Brody, 1969).
One of the first acts to be practiced by every
caregiver is to adopt a caring and living attitude
for their patients, and in doing so speak to them
in a warmly fashion, using a low and understanding
tone, and ensuring that there is eye contact.
Secondly, it is also essential that the patient
be continuously stroked or patted which will show
a tendency of love on the part of the caregiver
for the suffering patient. Lastly, it is also
essential that a smiling attitude be adopted when
dealing, addressing or taking care of the patients
suffering from late stage Alzheimer's disease
as this not assures the patients that they have
a loving caregiver, but ensures that the function
or activity can be accomplished with significant
ease (Small et al, 1997).
Addressing Problem Behaviors in Late Stage Alzheimer's
Patients
In discussing late stage Alzheimer’s patient,
one of the most common aspects is the numerous
behavior problems observed in these patients.
An overview of these problems reveals that practically
everything that surrounds the respective patient
may in one way or the other contribute to the
behavior problems. Some of the strategies adopted
to counter and successfully address these behavior
problems includes a thorough assessment of the
elderly population, their environment, and the
attitude towards the treatment and caring towards
this particular population. For example it is
essential for the caregiver to think and plan
well in ahead so that problem behavior may not
erupt at all. Then there is the element of abstaining
from an argument, which can lead to a behavior
problem, frustration, and even resistance from
the patient.
Strategies to counter such situations, as outlined
above in addressing behavior problems can include
distracting and diverting the attention of the
patient, continuing with the a set pattern of
routine activities for daily life, promoting a
sense of security and comfort for the patient.
These strategies can also including the use of
positive reinforcement techniques such as offering
food, smiling at the patient, and gently touching
him or her. All the said measures can help bring
in a reassuring environment, as the patient receives
personal attention and praise, as well as create
tendencies for relieving the otherwise tense and
threatening behavior, which the patient may develop.
These caring and loving attitudes on the part
of the caregivers can also serve to minimize and
perhaps eliminate the otherwise depressive and
anxiety filled attitude of the patients suffering
from late stage Alzheimer's disease.
Treatment and Caring for Late Stage Alzheimer’s
Disease
The above section has briefly discussed some of
the common and major symptoms and guidelines that
serve to address the various problems both medical
as well as behavioral for patients suffering and
are in the late stage of Alzheimer's disease.
These patients, however require a constant and
periodical assessment for behavioral problems,
psychotic symptoms as well as depression and anxiety
amongst the population under discussion. Though
these are a truly major cause of disturbance and
distress for the caregivers, nevertheless addressing
them at the proper time and with a loving attitude
can serve to reduce and significantly minimize
most if not all the problems faced by these patients.
In addition, evaluating them for drug toxicity,
psychiatric, psychological and environmental problems
can also serve to bring about significant reducing
in the suffering of the patients of late stage
Alzheimer's disease (Mega, 1996)
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