Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder characterized by progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and personality changes, primarily affecting individuals aged 65 and older. Factors such as age, genetics, and environmental influences increase the risk of developing the disease, which currently has no cure and requires managed caregiving. Effective nursing management involves thorough assessments, education, support for patients and families, and strategies to enhance quality of life.

1. SEMINAR
ALZIEMERS DISESE
1st
year MSC NURSING

2. INTRODUCTION
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative
brain disorder of unknown etiology which
is the most common form of dementia, that
usually starts in late middle age or in old
age, results in progressive memory loss,
impaired thinking, disorientation, and
changes in personality and mood.

3. The disease was
first described by
Dr. Alois Alzheimer,
a German
physician, in 1906..

4. Meaning
 Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic, irreversible
disease that affects the cells of the brain and
causes impairment of intellectual functioning
 Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder which
gradually destroys the ability to reason,
remember, imagine, and learn.

5. INCIDENCE
 About 3 percent of men and women
ages 65 to 74 have AD, and nearly half
of those age 85 and older may have the
disease.
 About 3,60,000 new cases of
Alzheimer’s are diagnosed each year.

6. CAUSES
The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is
not known.
However, several factors are thought
to be implicated in this disease.

7. RISK FACTORS
 Aging
 Genetic Link:
 Family History
 Cardiovascular Factors
 Neurochemical factors
 Environmental factors
OTHER RISK
FACTORS
 Down's syndrome.
 Head injuries.
 Gender: Nearly
two-thirds of
people with AD are
women

8. GENETIC AND IMMUNOLOGICAL
FACTORS
Oxidized LDL receptor 1 and
Angiotensin 1-converting enzyme, are
tied to the way the brain cells bind to
Apolipoprotein4 (APOE4) and reduce
buildup of harmful proteins, known as
plaques, in the brain, respectively.

9. Comparison of a normal aged brain
(left) and an Alzheimer's patient's
brain (right). Differential
characteristics are pointed out.

11. DUE TO THE ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS
CHANGES OCCUR IN THE PROTIENS OF THE NERVE CELLS
OF THE CEREBRAL CORTEX
ACCUMULATION OF NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES AND PLAQUES
GRANULO VASCULAR DEGENERATION
LOSS OF CHOLINERGIC NERVE CELLS
LOSS OF MEMORY, FUNCTION AND COGNITION

12.  Early onset : Symptoms appear before age
60. This type is much less common than late
onset. However, it tends to get worse quickly.
 Late onset : This is the most common type.
It occurs in people age 60 and older. the role
of genes is less clea
TYPES

13. In Alzheimer's disease, changes in tau protein lead to the
disintegration of microtubules in brain cells.

14. SIGNS OF AD
Ten warning signs of Alzheimer's disease
1) Memory loss
2) Difficulty to performing familiar tasks
3) Problems with language
4) Disorientation to time and place
5) Poor or decreased judgment
6) Problems with abstract thinking
7) Misplacing things
8) Changes in mood or behavior
9) Changes in personality
10) Loss of initiative

15. SYMPTOMS
• Confusion
• Disturbances in short-term memory
• Problems with attention
• Personality changes
• Language difficulties
• Unexplained mood swings

16. DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES
History collection
Physical examination
Neurological assesment
Blood routine:Blood tests may be done
to rule out other possible causes of
dementia symptoms, such as thyroid
problems or vitamin deficiencies.

17. (Cont). Diagnostic tests .
• Computed tomography(CT) or magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain may
be done to look for other causes of
dementia, such as a brain tumor or
stroke.
• In the early stages of dementia, brain
image scans may be normal. In later
stages, an MRI may show a decrease in
the size of different areas of the brain.

18. (Cont). Diagnostic tests .
 Cognitive Testing: Tests to evaluate memory,
language skills, problem-solving abilities, and
other cognitive functions.
 Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis:
This involves taking a sample of
cerebrospinal fluid through a lumbar
puncture to look for markers of Alzheimer's
disease, such as abnormal levels of
proteins like amyloid beta and tau.

19. Pharmacological intervention
• Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors –
Prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a
chemical messenger important for learning
and memory
eg. Donepezil (Aricept)
Rivastigmine (Exelon)
Galantamine (Razadyne

20. N-Methyl d-aspartate Receptor
Antagonist (NMDA)
Eg:Memantine – blocks the NMDA receptor
and inhibit their overstimulation by
glutamate (neurotransmitter)
• Antidepressents.
• Anxiolytics.
• Antipsychotics.
• Anticonvulsants

21. Psychosocial intervention
• Behavioral approach
• Emotion oriented approach
-Remnisence therapy
-Validation therapy
-supportive psychotherapy
-sensory integration
-stimulated presence therapy
• Cognition oriented approach
• Stimulation oriented approach
snoezelen;

22. Psychosocial intervention
• Behavioral approach
• Emotion oriented approach
Remnisence therapy:
Involves recalling past experiences, events, and
activities, typically from a person's earlier years,
Validation therapy:
Validation therapy is a method of communicating with
and understanding individuals, particularly elderly
individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments, by
validating their feelings, thoughts, and experience

23. Caregiving
Since Alzheimer's has no cure and it
gradually renders people incapable of
tending for their own needs, caregiving
essentially is the treatment and must be
carefully managed over the course of the
disease

24. Prognosis
• The early stages of Alzheimer's disease
are difficult to diagnose. A definitive
diagnosis is usually made once cognitive
impairment compromises daily living
activities, although the person may still be
living independently. He will progress from
mild cognitive problems, such as memory
loss through increasing stages of cognitive
and non-cognitive disturbances,
eliminating any possibility of independent
living.

25. .
Life expectancy of the population with the
disease is reduced. The mean life
expectancy following diagnosis is
approximately seven years. Fewer than
3% of patients live more than fourteen
years. Disease features significantly
associated with reduced survival are an
increased severity of cognitive impairment,
decreased functional level, history of falls,
and disturbances in the neurological
examination.

26. NURSING MANAGEMENT
• A complete history
• Assess the causes
• Collect the family history
• Nurse should prepare specific questions
about the difficulties with activities of daily
living.

27. NURSING MANAGEMENT
• A complete history
• Assess the causes
• Collect the family history
• Nurse should prepare specific questions
about the difficulties with activities of daily
living.
• Assess the family strenghts and weakness
• Educate the family members

28. NURSING DIAGNOSIS
• Impaired Memory related to cognitive decline as
evidenced by difficulty recalling recent events, forgetting
familiar faces, or repetitive questioning
• Risk for Injury related to impaired judgment, decreased
mobility, or environmental hazards as evidenced by falls,
wandering behavior, or difficulty with activities of daily
living.
• Altered Communication related to cognitive decline or
aphasia as evidenced by difficulty expressing needs or
understanding verbal cues.

29. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, effective nursing management for
Alzheimer's disease entails a comprehensive and
holistic approach aimed at addressing the
complex needs of patients, their families, and
caregivers. By conducting thorough
assessments, providing education and support,
ensuring safety and promoting independence,
managing behavioral symptoms, addressing
nutritional and hydration needs, and facilitating
emotional and psychosocial support, nurses play
a pivotal role in optimizing the quality of life for
individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease..