Download File - Continuing Staff Education

Life behind curtains
Presented by
RM Van Dee RN, MSN
Procare Hospice 2015
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease
• I want you to enable me to hold on to the
world for as long as possible.
• Appreciate me and act as if I am a whole
person I am a person
Richard Taylor PhD March 25,
2009
After diagnosed with
Alzheimer's, most
patients die within
eight years . One out
of 10 people over the
age of 65 will be
affected by this
disease.
(National Institute on agin
Memory Loss
• Disease eats up short term memory first.
– You may not remember your friends, but you remember what
you did as a child.
• Families talk about the past hoping to connect with
patient.
– As disease progresses family watch your face hoping for a
glimmer of recognition as they discuss things from your past.
• What would you do ?
Reducing Agitation
• Help maintain function as much as possible by
engaging in daily activities they like.
• Regulating activity with a daily routine..
• Always introduce yourself, and let them know
what you are doing.
Re-able
Allow patient to make their own choice
let them choose what to wear.
Ask them what they would like to do
Not everyone loves BINGO
Engage them in conversation
Talk about the present
Date
Weather
Image from Jackson P. 2011
Reducing agitation outbreaks
Cause: Observe behavior change
Look for triggers to behavior. Too much noise can
trigger agitation.
Be aware of your own mood.
Alzheimer’s patients are sensitive to the mood and
emotions of their caregivers.
Physical:
Change in health, constipation, pain, infection
can create agitation.
(National Institute on aging, 2012)
Bingo a No No
• Everywhere you go you will see patient’s
playing Bingo. WHY?
• Bingo prevents people from engaging in
conversation
• Replace Bingo with Music, sing a longs.
• Tactile Touch/healing touch
– Pet therapy, fabric books, hand massage with
scented lotion.
Reference
• National institute on aging (2012) Alzheimer’s
Disease fact sheet. From http://www.nia.nih.gov/
alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet
• Taylor, Richard PhD (March 25, 2009) What’s it like to live
with Alzheimer’s Disease from
www.dasninternational.org/2009/Plenar%20presentation
%20ADI%202009%20R%20Taylor.