The Alzheimer is a degenerative form of dementia characterized by
progressive and irreversible deterioration of cognitive functions, which
ultimately interferes with the functioning of the patient in daily life.
The patient, over 10-15 years elapsed from diagnosis to end stage,
present a progressive disability, loss of independence and a decline in their
mental abilities. One of the causes of dementia has been the increased
longevity (in Europe, 10% of people over 65
have any signs of dementia, a number that doubles in over 80 years.) Increasing
the population old brings an increase in degenerative diseases, highlighting
that determine in dementia.
The dementia in general and Alzheimer disease in particular, generate
such a wide variety of health problems, both physical and psychological and
social, to global patient care and family needs to be addressed by different
professionals (GPs, neurologists, psychologists, social workers, lawyers,
etc.). I think that within this care team, the nurse has an important weight
through programs independent and interdependent care and always in coordination
with the other professionals. Alzheimer's patients have a wide range of problems, that in most cases go untreated (the
current treatment of Alzheimer's disease has a symptomatic approach and not addressed in
any way to the causes of the
disease). Nursing as a profession
has therapeutic strategies
to control, modulate or alleviate
many of the problems I mentioned above.
Actually, in the care of patients with Alzheimer-type dementia, is part
of a practical justification for the existence of the art and science of
nursing with great strength. The Alzheimer's patient will have a number of
needs that need to be treated altered, and there are generally no specific
drugs or surgical interventions that palliate, but these treat with long-term
care. This care will be directed by Nursing to provide comfort to the patient
and his family, taking care to add quality to life, care to prevent suffering
and pain, and care to live and die with dignity.
Bibliography.
- Alberca R, López Pousa S. Enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias. Panamericana, Madrid, 2006.
- Roca Santiago, H.M. Lago Bouza, J.R. Millán Calenti, J.C. Gómez Ulla, F. Enfermedad del Alzheimer y degeneración macular asociada a la edad, 2006. Revisado en: http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?pid=S0365-66912006000200006&script=sci_arttext&tlng=pt
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