WARNING: This presentation includes graphic contents. This was part of a group presentation. 2010 Fall semester, Health 011, East Los Angeles College

1. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Symptoms

2. Diagnostic Criteria Involves failure in at least three cognitive functions Awareness Perception Comprehension Failure in memory, use of language, visuospatial skills, personality, and calculating skills Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Profession 7th Edition

3. Early Symptoms Inability to incorporate new knowledge despite the retention of new old information Inability to recall words Inability to orient to one’s surroundings Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Profession 7th Edition

4. Common Symptoms (Detailed) Impaired Memory and Thinking Disorientation and Confusion Misplacing Things Problems with Abstract Thinking Trouble Performing Familiar Tasks Changes in Personality and Development Poor or Decreased Judgments Inability to Follow Directions Problems with Language and Communications Impaired Visual and Spatial Skills Loss of Motivation or Initiative Loss of Normal Sleep Patterns http://www.webMD.com http://www.alz.org http://www.alzinfo.org Mosby’s Medical Dictionary 8th Edition

5. Alzheimer’s Disease Stages Mild Alzheimer’s Disease Regularity of forgetfulness May repeat questions Getting lost in once familiar places Have trouble remembering what they’ve just heard or read Maybe difficult but not impossible to learn new things http://www.webMD.com http://www.alz.org http://www.alzinfo.org

6. Alzheimer’s Disease Stages Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease May begin in inability to recognize family members and friends May have trouble sleeping during the night As the disease worsens, they may eventually spend their day asleep More pronounced personality changes Experience hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and compulsive behaviors http://www.webMD.com http://www.alz.org http://www.alzinfo.org

7. Alzheimer’s Disease Stages Severe Alzheimer’s Disease Virtually unable to respond to people around them Can no longer sit unsupported or hold up their head Unable to control urination or bowel movement May repeated cry out, groan, or scream Trouble eating or refusing to eat http://www.webMD.com http://www.alz.org http://www.alzinfo.org

8. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Signs

9. Types of Alzheimer’s Disease Early-onset Alzheimer’s Rare form of Alzheimer’s Diagnosed before the age of 65 High risk for people with Down Syndrome Linked with genetic defect on chromosome-14 A condition called Myoclonus – spasm of muscles or group of muscles http://www.webMD.com Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Profession 7thEdition Jonas: Mosby’s Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Copyright 2005

10. Types of Alzheimer’s Disease Late-onset Alzheimer’s Most common form of Alzheimer’s disease accounting for 90% of cases usually occurring after age 65 Strikes almost half of all people over the age of 85 May or may not be hereditary Late on-set dementia is also called Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease http://www.webMD.com Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Profession 7th Edition

11. Types of Alzheimer’s Disease Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD) Extremely rare accounting for less than 1% of all Alzheimer’s disease cases Form of Alzheimer’s disease known to be entirely inherited In affected families, members of at least two generations have had Alzheimer’s disease Has much early onset, often in the 40s Can be clearly seen to run in families http://www.webMD.com Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Profession 7th Edition

12. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of North Indiana http://www.alz-nic.org/html/alzheimersaffacts.html