Alzheimer's disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness.
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most serious and progressive forms of mental deterioration known as dementia. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects almost 50% of those over the age of 85.
Dementia is a loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning skills that interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. All people who develop Alzheimer's disease become unable to care for themselves once the condition reaches its final stages
Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer's disease. It is likely that the causes include some mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. These factors affect each person differently. Research indicates that the disease is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain.
Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of Alzheimer's disease. Sometimes, other thinking problems, such as trouble finding the right words or poor judgment, are most prominent early on.
4 Nursing Diagnosis related to Alzheimer's Disease
1. Risk for Injury related to :
- The inability to recognize / identify hazards in the environment
- Disorientation, confusion, impaired decision making
- Weakness, the muscles are not coordinated, the presence of seizure activity.
- Irreversible neuronal degeneration
- Memory Loss
- Psychological Conflict
- Sleep deprivation
- Changes in sensory
- Psychological pressure
- Changes in activity patterns
- Changes in perception, transmission and / or sensory integration
- Limitations related to the social environment.
