Question

A 75-year-old woman has been moved into an assisted living facility due to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease affecting her ability to independently maintain Activities of Daily Living. Since living in the facility, the patient has experienced episodes of emotional distress related to confusion of the setting. The patient has refused medications and meals, has incidents of incontinence, and constantly states her late mother will be picking her up to go home.

As a nurse, what are some priority, tertiary interventions you can implement that promote health of the patient to control the progression of her Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as making her feel comfortable and safe in the facility?

Answer 1

TERTIARY INTERVENTIONS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Tertiary care mainly focus on following goals such as

1. To improve the quality of care
2. Encourage them to participate activity of daily living.
3. Ensure safe environment.
4. Provide cognitive and behaviour therapy.
5. Educate patient as well as family members regarding the care and management.
6. Eat healthy diet including vegetables and fruits.
7. Avoid smoking and alcoholism.
8. Exercise regularly: Physical activities reduce the risk of developing cognitive and mental disorders.
9. Inorder to prevent memory loss be socially active, interact with others, sleep well etc.
10. Take medicines as per doctors orders.
11. In tertiary care focus on to reduce disability.

SAFETY MEASURES OF THE PATIENT

Install alarms and carbonmonoxide detectors.

Place them in or near to the kitchena and bedroom and ensure they working properly.

Check the locks

Make sure there are working locks and keep a spare of keys outside, in case person with dementia lock you out.

Keep steps safe

Keep steps sturdy and textured to prevent fall in wet or icy weather.

Restrict access to the pool

If you have a swimming pool or hot hub, sorround it with a fence.

Safely store fuel sources

Remove fuel sources for your grill or other equipment when not in use.

Adjust the home phone and voice mail settings

Reduce ringing volume to prevent distraction

Install shower chair ang grab bars

Place grab bars near the toilet, bath hub and shower.

NURSING MANAGEMENT

1. Regular home visit.
2. Assist the patient to perform activities.
3. Avoid risk of injury
4. Encourage the patient to do small exercises.
5. Reassure the patient.
6. Encourage the patient to take medicine and make sure she take medicines properly.
7. If necessary wear diapers for incontinence.
8. Make sure to maintain hygienic practices.
9. Educate relatives and members to avoid argument with patient.
10. Provide pleasant atmosphere.
11. If patient using wheelchair provide necessary safety measures to prevent injury.
12. Never patient leave along , always someone stay with the patient.
13. Wear ID bracelet to the patient.In case she missing it help to find out easily.