1. Alzheimer’s
Disease
Jurmaida H. Pagayao, BSN, RN

2. OVERVIEW OF AD

3. Definition
• A disabling degenerative disease of
the nervous system
• Characterized by dementia and failure
of memory for recent events followed
by total incapacitation and eventually
death

4. Incidence
• Most common cause of early
dementia
• Accounts for about half of all
dementia

5. Onset
• The disease process starts long before
symptoms start to develop
• Early onset form of AD: may begin as
early as 40 years of age
• Late onset form of AD: typically
begins after age 60

6. Life Expectancy
• Life expectancy after the
development of symptoms ranges
from 8-10 years

7. Etiology
• Unknown.

8. CLINICAL FINDINGS

10. Stage 1
• Loss of recent memory
• Easily irritated
• Loss of interest in life
• Decline of abstract thinking
• Decline of problem-solving ability

11. Stage II
• (Most common stage when disease is
diagnosed)
• Profound memory deficits
• Inability to concentrate or manage
business or personal affairs

12. Stage III
• Aphasia
• Inability to recognize or use objects
• Involuntary emotional outbursts
• Incontinence

13. Stage IV
• Patients become nonverbal
• Completely withdrawn
• Loss of appetite
– Leads to state of emaciation
• All body functions cease and death
quickly ensues

14. NURSING FOCUS

15. • Monitor vital signs and LOC
• Implement collaborative care as
ordered
• Keep requests simple

16. • Avoid confrontation
• Maintain a consistent environment
• Frequently reorient the patient

17. PATIENT TEACHING

18. • Provide patient and family with
literature on AD
• Advise family that, as AD progresses,
so does the need for supervision of
ADLs such as cooking and bathing

19. • Advise family to lock windows and
doors to prevent wandering
• Explain that patient should wear an
ID bracelet in case he or she
becomes lost

20. • Explain the actions, dosages, side
effects, and adverse reactions of
meds.