Transcript Slide 1

Aging Well:
Alzheimer’s Disease and
Developmental Disabilities
This training was made possible by
generous grants from the New Jersey
Council on Developmental Disabilities
and from Spectrum for Living’s
Endowment Fund.
Information gleaned from Mercer, M. (2007),
Aging and Developmental Disabilities, (Rev.
Ed) Minot, ND, North Dakota Center for
Persons with Disabilities, a University
Affiliated Program at Minot State University
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
• A slow progressive disorder of the brain
• Eventually results in gradual decline in brain
function and death.
• Not a normal part of the aging process.
• Behavioral and psychological symptoms are
complex and differ from person to person.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
• Symptoms lead to a form of dementia, which
is the loss of mental skills and abilities,
including self-care capabilities.
• As the disease progresses, these losses will
result in total dependency for even the
simplest activities.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
• Language Problems:
– Cannot find the right word or name for a familiar
person, place or object.
– This is more than the occasional slip of a name that
everyone experiences.
• Loss of recent memory:
– Forgetting very recent activities (E.g., that they had
breakfast an hour ago)
– However, remembers things from the distant past.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
• Loss of a sense of time and place:
– May become more confused about what day it is
– Forgetting the way to well-known places like local
parks or restaurants.
• Personality changes:
– Slight, at first, and can be difficult to notice.
– Some people become quieter or withdrawn, others
become more restless.
– Some may start to get angry over little things or have
sudden changes of mood for no apparent reason.
Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease Among People
with Developmental Disabilities
• There is a greater risk if the individual:
– Has Down Syndrome and is over 40 years of age;
– Has had some form of head injury, especially
severe or multiple injuries; or
– Has a history of Alzheimer’s disease in their family.
Behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease for People with
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Development of seizures in someone who
previously did not have them
• Changes in personality
• Long periods of inactivity or apathy
• Hyper-reflexivity
Behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease for People with
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Loss of activity of daily living skills
• Visual retention deficits
• Loss of speech
• Disorientation
• Increase in stereotyped behavior
• Abnormal neurological signs
Changes in Daily Routine Needed
• Person should feel safe and secure in their
environment
• Emphasis on maintaining abilities, particularly
those affecting dignity (toileting, eating) rather
than teaching new skills
• Keep changes in environment and daily routine to
an absolute minimum
• Establish a toileting routine to minimize accidents
Changes in Daily Routine Needed
• Simplify routines and reduce choices to
minimize feelings of anxiety and frustration.
• Keep verbal requests simple
• Talk about past experiences to remind the
person
Changes in Daily Routine Needed
• Help the person to maintain orientation
– naming events for the day,
– reminding the individual of the day, time, and
place
– repeating names of people around them.
• Respond to suspicions and delusions with
reassurances
Program Practice
• Provide a safe and familiar environment.
• Closer supervision to minimize confusion and
disorientation.
• Maintain present level of independence by
increasing staff supervision, prompts and handson care.
• Modify the individual’s support plan to anticipate
changing ADL and supervision needs.
Program Practice
• Monitor and document increased episodes of
confusion, disorientation or memory lapses
• Identify triggers that result in inappropriate or
dangerous behavior and try to minimize their
occurrence.
• Adapt program plan to reflect the behavioral and
physical changes the person may experience.
Help for a families and caregivers
• Home Care services
• Adult Medical Day Care
• Area Agencies on Aging