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Assessment and Care of the Community‐Dwelling Alzheimer's Disease Patient
Author(s) -
Fisk Albert A.,
Pannill Fitzhugh C.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1987.tb04636.x
Subject(s) - medicine , activities of daily living , nursing homes , gerontology , alzheimer's disease , disease , physical therapy , nursing
A two‐year study of 159 community dwelling Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients evaluated in a geriatric clinic is reported. Patients were not as disabled as commonly supposed, having only a moderate reduction in cognitive function (Folstein mean Mini‐Mental Status [MMS], 15.3) and physical activities of daily living (PADL), mean, 3.3, but were more dependent in their instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), mean, 1.9. Associated medical problems averaged 3.4 per patient. Forty‐seven percent lived alone and 39% had not been out of the home in the previous week, making isolation a major concern. During the study, 34% went into nursing homes. Initial mean MMS of these patients was 12.4 compared to 16.6 for patients who remained at home, but activities of daily living (ADD mean scores were not significantly different. Based on this assessment, the management of AD patients, including medication use, daycare, education and support for family caregivers, and nursing home placement, is discussed.