Connecting with the cognitively impaired: dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
When confronted with their own or their loved one's cognitive decline, many people attribute it to "normal aging." Home care providers, due to their regular interaction with their clients, may be the first to identify dementia. As such, home care providers can play an important role by encouraging those involved to address the problem and develop a plan of care to help them to successfully navigate the challenges they face. Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common causes of dementia. This article identifies the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and provides advice to home care providers on intervention and how to care for patients who are cognitively impaired.
Ledoux
Nancy
N
Hospice Care, Inc., Stoneham, Massachusetts, USA. ledouxnancy@cs.com
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome