Alzheimer's 101
True or false: Alzheimer's is a normal part of aging
False
List the three stages of Alzheimer's according to the Alzheimer's Association
1: Early (mild)
2: Middle (moderate)
3: Late (severe)
A resident is refusing to bathe during the designated shower time. What should you do?
Offer a different bathing time and/or using different phrases like "spa" or "wash up"
Alzheimer's is the most common form of this
Dementia
True or false: Some Alzheimer's patients can live another twenty years after diagnosis
True
How can elopement be prevented?
Daily excercise, alarm systems, and monitoring residents frequently.
The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer's is
Increasing age
This is a certain type of Alzheimer's characterized by symptoms showing up much earlier than normal
early-onset Alzheimer's
A reseident is complaining of stomach pain and you know they usually take pain medications from the nurse during meals. What should you do?
Notify the RN so they can check when the last dose was given.
Alzheimer's disease accounts for what percentage (range) of dementia cases?
60-80%
Which stage typically the longest and can last for many years?
Middle-stage Alzheimer's
In which ways can agitation be prevented?
Two abnormal structures are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells. What are these called?
Plaques and tangles
To qualify for hospice benefits under Medicare, a physician must diagnosis the person with Alzheimer's disease as having less than _____ months to live.
six
A resident who is usually alert and not easily frustrated is now delirious and very confused. What is the most common cause of sudden delirium?
UTI