____ Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: Symptoms, Stages, and Communication Strategies Expanded
Self-Assessment Quiz Question
STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
6. Understanding the aspects of clinical stage 4 can help with:
SEVEN CLINICAL STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE The Reisberg Alzheimer’s Scale is the clinical standard used to determine patient disease stage (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019). Also known as the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), it is used by clinicians and in residential care settings, and it offers expectations for caregivers. The scale divides the disease into seven stages, with two categories. Category 1 includes Stages 1–3 and is considered predementia. Category 2 covers Stages 4–7, the dementia stages. See Table 3. 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 engag- ing 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 respec- tive 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).
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.
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.
CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Stage
Description
Clinical Presentation
Stage 1
No evident dementia
• No identifiable dementia • Person is mentally healthy
Stage 2
Subjective memory loss and age-related forgetfulness • Can last 15 years in healthy people
• May have difficulty remembering where they have placed things • May not be able to recall names as they have in the past • Subjective cognitive decline • Memory issues may be noticed by loved ones or coworkers • May repeat statements • Job performance may be impaired • Concentration may be impacted • High levels of anxiety • Patient should visit a physician to understand root cause of MCI • Lifestyle changes can be made to reduce stress, improve diet, and increase physical exercise Table 3
Stage 3
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
7
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