Table 2. Stages of AD Stage 6
Severe cognitive decline; moderately severe dementia
• Will be unable to dress themselves properly • Will require full-time oversight and assistance for activities of daily living • Bathing issues present—may not discern water temperature, and personal hygiene will be impaired, including toileting and brushing teeth; ultimately person becomes incontinent • Will exhibit radical changes in emotions and express frustration with inability to communicate • Unintelligible; speaks very few words • Physical decline imminent due to lack of self-care • People with AD who have been in good physical health and do not have cooccurring illnesses may be able to maintain some abilities longer • Limited to no mobility • Ultimately, rigid and unable to move • More vulnerable to normal aging diseases that can impact mortality Self-Assessment Quiz Question #6 Understanding the aspects of clinical stage 4 can help with: a. Potentially minimizing the loss of social connections and isolation. b. Limiting potentially unsafe behavior. c. Both a and b. d. Retraining. Self-Assessment Quiz Question #7 Early detection of AD may impact stage development and progression because doing so is related to: a. Pharmacological interventions. b. Clinical trials. c. Learning about healthy options. d. All of the above.
Stage 7
Very severe cognitive decline; severe dementia
Early detection of AD may impact the stage development of the disease. It may permit time for potential pharmacological interventions, clinical trials, and environmental and lifestyle adjustments. Additionally, proactive approaches may allow time to plan and identify healthcare providers that are engaging in progressive approaches toward the disease. Healthcare Consideration: Engaging a patient’s support team, which can include family, caregivers, or other loved ones, is an integral component of disease management, care plan adaptation, safety, and planning. Insight into the respective stages can provide a frame of reference to the patient and team and can also be empowering for the long-term plan. Additionally, providers have found the information about the stages can help establish meaningful connections with patients (Wollney, 2022).
IMPACT OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE ON THE BRAIN
A typical healthy brain is comprised of billions of neurons that transfer signals and information from the brain throughout the body to communicate overall functioning (Flo et al., 2022). Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disruptor, impacting normal functioning and impairing communication between neurons. This results in diminished capabilities. Neurons are comprised of the following: • Cell body: Houses the nucleus that directs and manages cell activity • Dendrites: Like tree branch structures that extend from the cell body to communicate with other neurons • Axon: Cable-like structures extend from the cell body, opposite the dendrites; share/transmit messages to the neurons Neurons are integral to the brain and central nervous system for healthy functioning and body communication (Lourenco et al., 2019). For healthy brain function the neurons must communicate as detailed in Image 1.
Image 1. Communication of Neurons
Note: Adapted from Lourenco et al. (2019)
Book Code: SWUS1525
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