Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Week 9

I was interested in learning about Alzheimer's disease this week. I work in a specialized care unit taking care of patients with Alzheimer's dementia and so learning about this was helpful to me. The book states that the main symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are a gradual decline in memory, learning, attention and judgement, confusion to time and place, difficulties communicating and finding the right words, decline in personal hygiene and self-care skills, inappropriate social skills, and changes in personality. I see these every day in the people that I care for and it is heartbreaking to watch and yet amazing sometimes the things that stay with you. I have a particular person who no longer speaks but when we turn on religious music they will sing every word.

2 comments:

  1. I loved your personal story! I also occasionally work with Alzheimer's patients. The things they say, or what they mean to say can be borderline hilarious. I have one patient who is just awesome. she cant take care of herself real well like you stated in the symptoms, but she is the funniest person!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't personally know anyone with Alzheimer, but i also work occasionally with patients and it is amazing how much they still do retain and how to behave. I sometimes could even forget that they even have Alzheimer.

    ReplyDelete