Alzheimers Disease

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Alzheimers Disease
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• Compiled by Audrey Rose for Linda Barboa

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DEFINITION

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form
  of dementia.
• Its a neurologic disease characterized by
• Loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere
  with normal activities of daily living
• Lasting at least six months
• Not present at birth
• AD usually occurs in old age, and is marked by a
  decline in cognitive functions such as
  remembering, reasoning, and planning.

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What does it look like?
Typically people with Alzheimers Disease look
like a normal aging adult.
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The Stages
Stage 1 ? No impairment Stage 2 ? Very mild
decline Stage 3 ? Mild decline Stage 4 ?
Moderate decline (mild or early stage) Stage
5 ? Moderately severe decline (moderate or
mid-stage) Stage 6 ? Severe decline
(moderately severe or mid-stage) Stage 7
? Very severe decline (severe or late stage)
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Does it affect swallowing?

• YES, IT DOES!
• It ranges from simple things such as the
  environment or time of day and can lead to more
  severe problems such as feeding tubes or
  aspiration.

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MEALTIME BEHAVIOR CHANGESEARLY TO MIDDLE STAGES

• Risk of malnutrition may be related to forgetting
  steps involved in preparing a meal or shopping
  for food items.
• Unable to safely operate a stove, unable to
  recognize food when spoiled, and may be unable to
  hold attention throughout a meal.
• May become distracted by environmental factors,
  experience a change in food preference, or pour
  liquid into food.

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MEALTIME BEHAVIOR CHANGESMIDDLE TO ADVANCED
STAGES

• More confused and unaware of the surroundings,
  place, and time.
• May forget which utensil to use, and may not
  recognize hunger, thirst, or food temperature.
• At risk for dehydration as they may not ask for
  drinks.
• Pace or refuse to sit down for a meal, causing
  weight loss.
• No longer capable of coordinating swallowing and
  breathing

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ENVIRONMENT

• Physical and social environments are important
  but often untapped resources that can have a
  significant impact on quality of life.
• However, not always part of routine clinical
  practice for an SLP.

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INFORMATION

• Document specific intervention techniques that
  can only be administered by an SLP.
• Many clients with AD require a thorough dysphagia
  evaluation.
• Identify preserved abilities (build on these)
• Consider past and current meal preferences
• Identify the possible facilitators and barriers
  in the environment
• Interventions should include simple techniques to
  reduce the demands on impaired memory systems and
  provide cues that will enable the client to
  function using preserved abilities.

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Simplify

• WHAT TO CHANGE
• Dishes, mats, and tablecloths with patterns
• Providing a variety of utensils
• Glassware

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What we can do

• Set up regular meal times
• Provide snacks (finger food)
• Calm environment (assess factors such as
  environmental stimuli, lighting, and noise
  levels)
• Consider individual preferences
• Independence is important not neatness
• Monitor consistency of food

7. Provide plenty of fluids 8. Ensure proper fit
of dentures 9. Consider nutritional supplements
10. Adaptive utensils and dishes 11. Feeding
tubes
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References

• www.mayoclinic.com
• www.alz.org
• alzheimers.about.com