Alzheimers Disease

Question 1

What are the 5 As related to Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 1

• Amnesia
• Anomia (unable to recall names that are common (everyday objects))
• apraxia (unable to perform some movements)
• agnosia (unable to process some sensory sensations (ex pain))
• aphasia (difficulty finding theirs words)

Question 2

What are some important points about pin management in Alzheimer’s pts?

Answer 2

• pt will have difficulty expressing pain
• recognize behavioral cues
• non pharmacological approaches

Question 3

What are some points about swallowing difficulties in Alzheimer’s pts?

Answer 3

• loss of interest in food
• decrease ability to feed themselves
• nutritional deficits (forget to eat)
• dehydration (forget to drink)

Question 4

What are some teaching tips to give to the family of pts with Alzheimer’s?

Answer 4

• take meds as prescribed
  -meds timed consistently
• encourage pt family to call HCP if any : increase in cramps, muscle weakness, dizziness, difficulty breathing
• tell family to speak slowly to pt, one instruction at a time, no open ended questions

Question 5

What are some nutritional changes needed in PD and AD?
What to eat and how?

Answer 5

What to eat?
- soft, puréed foods
- thickened fluids
- foods easy to self feed
- may need supplements

How to eat:
- limit distractions during meals
- provide enough time to eat
- provide cueing to chew and swallow food

Goal : have enough fiber in diet to avoid constipation and don’t want them to choke

Question 6

What are the two prototype meds for AD?

Answer 6

• donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept)
• memantine hydrochloride (Ebixa)