Alzheimer's Prevention Strategies

Alzheimer’s Prevention Strategies

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia in person’s aged 65 and older; it is known to cause progressive problems with memory, thinking and behavior, and is the 5th leading cause of death for that age group in the United States (alz.org, 2011). It was first identified in 1906 by a German physician by the name of Dr. Alois Alzheimer after he performed an autopsy on the brain of one of his patients, where he found plaque known as amyloid protein, and tangled nerve fibers known as tau that were thought to be the culprit (ahaf.org, 2012). And since that time, there have been many studies performed to understand, detect and prevent its causes.
Current statistics show that there are approximately…show more content…
To help prevent these challenges from becoming overwhelming patients need to feel they still have a purpose in life. Help can be given in the form of inclusion by not allowing them to isolate themselves from others, and keeping them active and engaged with what has always been their interest. The psychosocial impact from the perspective of the patient, who is initially diagnosed with this devastating disease, is that of being a burden to their loved ones. They have come to the realization that they cannot live the rest of their lives without assistance from a loved one and may eventually end up living in the confines of a nursing home. For most, that is something that is extremely difficult to come to grips…show more content…
Alzheimer’s Disease Research A Program of the American Health Assistance Foundation. Retrieved January 23, 2012 from http://www.ahaf.org/alzheimers/about/understanding/history.html
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From EBSCOhost
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