About Alzheimer's as a Nursing Specialization

Working with Alzheimer's patients is an incredibly demanding field of nursing. Not only is it a field that requires patience, compassion and understanding, it is a field that requires knowledge and experience. Those who are afflicted with Alzheimer's will go through varying stages of this disease, deteriorating mentally and physically as the disease progresses. Without proper knowledge and training, the nursing team will not be capable of treating the patient appropriately.

Significance

• It has been estimated by the Alzheimer's Association that there are currently 5 million Americans who are afflicted by this disease. They have also estimated that if no cure is found by the year 2050, the number of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's will more than triple, rising to 16 million. It is for these reasons that there is an increased demand in the healthcare field for nurses who are experienced in the care of Alzheimer's patients. The pay rate for this job will vary from state to state and county to county. However on average, a registered nurse can earn approximately $50,000 a year. For certified nursing assistants, those who provide the direct care of the patients, the average salary is $8 to $10 an hour. The possibility of advancement in this position is always available for those who would like to return to school in pursuit of a higher degree, such as a Bachelor's or Master's.

Function

• When caring for a patient with Alzheimer's disease, the head nurse of the unit (either an LPN or RN), will be in charge of overseeing the development of an individual care plan for the patient. Since Alzheimer's disease progresses at different rates for everyone, it is necessary to create a customized plan to fit their mental and physical needs. This care plan is used by the certified nursing assistants as a reference guide for the care they provide the patient. It is becoming a trend with long-term care facilities to create a special unit, or wing, designed specifically for the Alzheimer's patients. With the creation of these units, the nursing supervisor of the floor will assign a team of nurses and CNAs to work specifically on that unit. This is done for many reasons, the primary reason being continuity of care. Alzheimer's patients do not cope well with changes in their environments or schedules, sparking violent behavioral outbursts. By having the same caregivers each day, a sense of security is provided for the patient. The nurses will have focus points for each patient, depending on the stage of Alzheimer's the patient is in. If she is in the mild stage, the nurses will be concentrating on pain management for the patient, as well as ensuring that the patient is eating and drinking enough. hey will also attempt to engage them in social activities. Once the patient has entered the second stage, her focus will be on a ways to prevent any falls and to take the necessary measures to prevent wandering. In the most severe stage, they will be focused on what is considered to be comfort care. Once an Alzheimer's patient has entered the last stage, she forgets how to swallow, which could cause aspiration, leading to pneumonia. Alzheimer's patients do not pass away from the disease itself, but rather the medical conditions which stem from it.

Features

• All members of the nursing team must be aware of the effects Alzheimer's disease has on the patient. Someone who has never cared for an Alzheimer's patient may label him as being resistive to care, non-compliant and violent. With this type of disease, these labels could lead to an inappropriate care plan for him. There are environmental issues which contribute to the behavior. Having a team of nurses who know the tendency of their patients will allow the patient to be surrounded in an environment that does not provoke them. The head nurse must always be aware of peculiar changes in the physical and mental behavior of her Alzheimer's patients. These changes could indicate the need for an adjustment in medications or the treatment plan. The nurses also provide the framework for achieving the highest possible quality of care for their patients. To achieve this quality of care, knowledge in pathophysiological processes is a necessity. Their knowledge combined with listening to the CNAs when they report a problem and then investigating the cause of the problem, is what allows them to solve the problem at hand.

Considerations

• Before making a solid decision to be an Alzheimer's nurse, research the disease. Know what you will be entering into before you take the leap. Alzheimer's patients are like none other. They require almost never-ending attention to ensure their safety and well-being. It would also be a good idea to attend an Alzheimer's support group meeting, so that you will see first hand what family members and other health care professionals experience emotionally while caring for their patients. These patients will need you to be everything to them--their eyes, their ears, their protectors and their advocates. It is an area of elderly care that has the capability of draining you on emotional, mental and physical levels. Once you have taken into account all that your job as an Alzheimer's nurse will entail, you will be able to make a sound judgment about whether it is an area of nursing you want to pursue.

Benefits

• While caring for a patient with Alzheimer's can be trying, the personal rewards far outweigh the frustration. Alzheimer's patients are extremely unique and very loving for the most part. Even as they begin to deteriorate, they may still recognize you because you are the one who takes care of them every day. There is also the gratitude you receive from the family members of the patient. Over time, whether you expect it or not, a relationship forms between the nursing staff and those they care for. When becoming an Alzheimer's nurse, you are not only treating the patient, but the family as well. You will also have the gratification of touching someone's life in a positive way. While the patient may not be aware of all you are doing, you know that you have fought hard to develop new and innovative ways to care for your patients.