Vysoká škola zdravotnická, o.p.s.

1. Vysoká škola zdravotnická, o.p.s. Alzheimer´s disease Andrea Mišáková, 2AVS 18th April 2012

2. „Memory is our only wealth. Only after we lose it, we become real beggars.“ Jean Etienne Dominique Esquirol

3. Why is this topic so current? • In my opinion not enough attention is being paid to this neurodegenerative disease • We live in an ageing world and the single greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's is age • With the current ageing of the population, which affects more or less every country in the world, the number of those with Alzheimer's is increasing rapidly • Unfortunately this current demographic trend, which also brings many important socio-economic and health consequences, is predicted to continue well into the coming centuries

4. Facts & figures about Alzheimer´s disease • The most common form of dementia among older people • Alzheimer's is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks • Most people develop the disease after the age of 60, however about 5% of all people have an early onset Alzheimer´s and this occurs in people age 30 to 60 • One of the first warning signs of cognitive loss are typically memory problems

5. Some of the risk factors include: age, family history, female gender, smoking, cardiovascular diseases • It is not exactly known how the Alzheimer’s disease process begins, but it seems likely that damage to the brain starts a decade or more before problems become evident • People are often diagnosed with the disease when they start having problems like getting lost, trouble handling money and paying bills, repeating questions, taking longer to complete normal daily tasks etc. • To this day, the only way to confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer's is by autopsy of brain tissue which will show the typical signs of cerebral shrinkage and destruction of brain cells

6. It is estimated thatthere are over 7,3 million of people with Alzheimer´s in the European Union • The Czech Republic itself has around 80 000 people suffering from Alzheimer´s disease • The percentage of people with dementia illustrates the increasing prevalence of dementia with advanced age: • 5% of those aged 65+ • 30-50% of those aged 85+

7. Caring for Alzheimer´s patients • Respite care is short-term care where your loved one stays in a facility temporarily. This gives the caregiver some time to rest, travel or do other things • Day care centres are especially good for people with dementia who don´t suffer from movement disorders or any other serious diseases. They provide a comfortable and secure place where the clients reside during the day while the caregivers can continue working. It enables them to stay active through structured, therapeutic activities and activation programs

8. Counselling services and emotional support (Website Czech Alzheimer society: http://www.alzheimer.cz/cals/) • Institutional care is usually needed in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. Long-term care should be provided in psychiatric hospitals, Alzheimer centres or specialized homes for the elderly

9. A few words at the end When taking care for an Alzheimer´s patient it is necessary to • Praise the patient • Not to lie • Be aware of their physical needs • Set up their rooms • HAVE PATIENCE

10. Thank you

11. Sources • Růžička, E. a kol.: Diferenciální diagnostika a léčba demencí. Galén, 2003. • Str. 21-43, str. 52-61, str. 63-135. ISBN 80-7262-205-6. • Topinková, E.: Geriatrie pro praxi. Galén, 2005. • Str.137-145. ISBN 80-7262-365-6. • http://www.alzheimer.cz/ • http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/