Transcript EMS Alzheimer’s Training - Adirondack Area Network

EMS Alzheimer’s Training
Alzheimer’s Association of NENY
Hollie Gray
What is Alzheimer’s?
 Progressive brain disorder
 Gradually destroys a person’s memory,
ability to learn, reason, make judgments,
communicate, and carry out daily activities.
How is Alzheimer’s changing the
brain?
 Alzheimer’s Disease
leads to nerve cell
death.
 AD causes tissue loss
throughout the brain
 Overtime the brain
shrinks dramatically.
More changes in the brain…
 The cortex of the brain
shrivels up.
 Hippocampus shrinks
severally.
 Ventricles in the brain
grow larger.
What is causing these changes?
 Scientists are not
100% sure what is
causing cell death and
brain shrinkage, but
they have suspects.
 Prime suspects are
plaques and tangles
that occur in the brain
of person with AD.
Lets talk about plaque…
 Formed by beta-amyloid protein buildup.
 This protein comes from a larger protein that is
involved in mylenation of cells.
 The abnormal clumps of protein that form we call
plaque may be blocking cell to cell signaling.
 Scientists believe it may also trigger an immune
response that causes the disabled cells to be
destroyed.
Lets talk about tangles…
 Tangles destroy a cell
transport system made
of proteins.
 The tau protein keeps
the tracks straight.
 When tau fails to do
it’s job transport can
not take place and cell
death results.
Progression through the Brain
 Plaques and tangles tend to
spread through the brain in a
predictable pattern.
 First -Learning and Memory
 Second-Speaking,
Understanding, and
understanding relation of ones
self to things around them.
 Third- Communication,
recognizing family and friends,
and care for ones self is lost.
 *** NOTE THIS IS A GENERAL
PATTERN
Brain of Normal Elderly
Person
Brain of Alzheimer’s
Patient
Normal Elderly Brain vs. Brain of AD
Patient
Large Brain Size
Cell Functioning
Normal Brain activity
Brain Shrinkage
Cell Death
Plaque Build Up
Abnormal Brain activity
Symptoms of AD
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Memory loss
Disorientation
Problems doing complicated tasks
Language problems
Lack of concentration
Loss of visuo-spatial skills
How many people are affected by
AD Nationally?
 4.5+ have AD
 2+ million have another Dementia
 Year 2030 40-70% increase expected.
How many people are affected
locally?
 Within the 17 county region of NENY 1.5
million people are living.
 Of the 1.5 million it is estimated that 40,000
are suffering from the challenges associated
with AD.
Mortality Rates
 7th leading cause of death.
 65,829
 Number does NOT reflect any of the “other”
dementia’s.
 45,000
 4th leading cause of death in women.
Risk Factors
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AGE
Heredity
Sex
Lifestyle
Environment
Head Injury
Prevention?
 NO way to prevent ad
 NO Vaccine
 ARE ways to reduce risk factors.
Reducing Risk Factors
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Adopt a Brain Healthy Diet
Numbers Count
Remain Socially Active
Remain Mentally Active
Exercise
Complications Sometimes
Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease
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Pneumonia
Infections
Falls
Pulmonary Embolism
Violent Behavior
Wandering (Person may get lost)
Things to consider when Assessing
A Person with AD…
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Several medications.
Unreliable informant.
Easily overwhelmed or frustrated.
Ask simple yes or no questions
Things to consider when Assessing
A Person with AD continued…
 Tell the person who you are and why you are there even if
it seems obvious.
 Give Positive Instructions.
 Approach using a non-aggressive stance.
 Use your NON Verbal communication.
 Avoid over stimulation.
 Check for a Safe Return bracelet that will indicate the
person has a memory impairment.
 Smile and Keep eye contact.
 Be patient a person with AD may take longer to assess.
How we communicate
Body Language 55%
Pitch and Tone 38%
Verbal 7%
Guidelines for Communication
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Call the person by the name she prefers
Talk to him or her as an adult
Give simple directions, one step at a time
Use the same words
Avoid pronouns .
Speak slowly and clearly
Don’t argue
Ask for what you want
Say exactly what you mean
Offer multiple cues
Making a Positive Physical Approach
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Come from the front
Go slow
Get to the side
Get low
Offer your hand (palm up)
Use the person’s preferred name
Wait for a response
Community Based Services To
Help Individuals and Families
dealing with AD…
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Adult Day Programs
Home Health Agencies
Hospice
Meals on Wheels
Respite (Companion) Care
Safe Return
Support Groups
Transportation Services
QUESTIONS???
1-800-272-3900
24 Hours a Day, 7 days a week
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24hour helpline
Information and referral
Care consultation
Safe Return
Support Groups