Premium
Caring for the Alzheimer's Patient
Author(s) -
Fabiszewski Kathy J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
gerodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1741-2358
pISSN - 0734-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-2358.1987.tb00389.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , intervention (counseling) , quality of life (healthcare) , disease , multidisciplinary approach , distressing , cognition , psychiatry , nursing , social science , chemistry , pathology , sociology
Alzheimer's Disease is a devastating, age‐related, irreversible clinical syndrome characterized by a wide spectrum of progressive impairments in cognitive, behavioral and functional abilities. Since no effective therapy exists to cure or arrest the disease progression, treatment efforts are directed at providing relief of the physical, emotional and psychosocial discomforts associated with the advancing illness. Treatment goals focus on promoting quality of life for both patient and family with particular emphasis on role adjustments, comfort and safety. The complexity of changing illness manifestations necessitates professional multidisciplinary collaboration throughout the course of the illness. Continuity of care in the transition from home to institution is of great benefit to the patient, the family and the professional staff. The philosophy of caring and examples of intervention strategies to deal with the distressing symptoms in both the patient and the family are discussed.