Nursing Care for Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is not simply a degenerative cognitive disease; it also progresses to a physically degenerative disease. It affects more than 5 million Americans, with a projected increase if a cure is not found. Because of this, it's crucial to have a caring nursing staff that is knowledgeable specifically in the care of Alzheimer's patients.

Significance

• Caregivers of Alzheimer's patients at any level need to be fully prepared for what will lie ahead for themselves and their loved one or patient. Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that progresses through varying stages, each one worse than the one before. This is why specialized care homes and specific units of long-term care facilities have been developed to meet the needs of these patients.

Function

• The type of nursing care provided for Alzheimer's patients is critical for the safety and well-being of those who are afflicted with this degenerative disease. Not only will nursing staff members receive ongoing educational inservices on how to care for an Alzheimer's patient, they will also be assigned specifically to the same patients. This provides a continuity of care that is essential when caring for patients with this disease. Having the same staff providing care will help in reducing the number of behavioral outbursts the patient may experience due to his inability to recognize those providing care. The nursing staff will be trained in how to handle the behavioral changes as the patient progresses through the stages of Alzheimer's, and will also be trained to recognize a decline in the patient's condition. In addition, staff will be taught how to stimulate the patient cognitively, which can slow the progression of the disease.

Types

• The nursing staff with the most direct contact with the Alzheimer's patient is the certified nursing assistant (CNA). She assists the patient with her activities of daily living, which include bathing, dressing, toileting and eating. The charge nurse for the Alzheimer's unit will either be a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. She administers the medications, provides wound care and relies heavily on the CNAs to report any changes in the patient's condition to her so that she may assess the patient and report the changes to the doctor.

Features

• CNAs who care specifically for Alzheimer's patients will attempt to promote as much independence as possible with their patients. Depending on the stage of the disease the patient is in, the CNA may only need to direct the patient through bathing and dressing, often having to repeat the instructions to them. The CNA will assist the patient in mobility when the disease begins to affect him physically, and will participate in activities with the patient that will stimulate his mind--such as Bingo or a game of cards. The CNA will provide the patient with reading materials to keep his mind in motion, and if a behavioral outburst occurs, the certified nursing assistant may restrain the patient for his own safety.
  The charge nurse will provide the medications that have been prescribed for the patient and will visit the patient to assess his current condition. If the charge nurse feels a change should be made in the type of care the patient is receiving, she will do so and report the changes to the CNA. The charge nurse will also report any change in mental or physical condition to the patient's doctor in the event that a medication adjustment is required.

Considerations

• Caring for an Alzheimer's patient is mentally and physically demanding. These patients require constant supervision due to their tendency to wander or take another patient's items (believing them to be their own). It's also important to ensure the patient is receiving proper nutrition. Communicating with an Alzheimer's patient can also be extremely difficult, especially once he has progressed to the more severe stage of the disease. The patient will eventually be unable to communicate his needs or any pain or discomfort, which means the nursing staff must know the patient's tendencies and have the intuition to know when something is wrong. Before choosing to specialize in Alzheimer's care, it is imperative for the caregiver to be certain she can handle all it entails. The patient's well-being is at stake.