What is Alzheimer Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological condition that involves the brain cells that cause memory loss or regression (Baddeley et al. 2522-2524). The illness starts with minor symptoms that intensify over time, eventually affecting a victim’s memories and other essential functions. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most prevalent forms of dementia. When a victim’s social functioning deteriorates, he or she has difficulty communicating with others.

The hippocampus, which is responsible for memory retention, is the portion of the brain affected by the condition (Sze et al. 933-935). Damaging this part of the brain further causes problems in language and behavior. When a person suffers from this disease, it changes the way in which activities like walking and talking are conducted.

Necessary requirements of care program e.g., Emotional support and medication

Alzheimer’s care program emphasizes on among other requirements, the need to have a good medical and care program. Emotional support is best provided through facilities such as the adult day centers. During the sessions, the focus can be placed on activities that promote social, physical and intellectual functioning. Medication like sleeping pills and tranquilizers are good in preventing agitation and sleeplessness. Besides, it is necessary to focus on cholinesterase drugs that have inhibitors that slow the progression of the condition (Birks 43). More research is being done to come up with medications that prevent the Amyloid build up in the brain as well as developing alternative therapies such as herbal extracts, Vitamin E and Selenium.

Current state of care for Alzheimer’s patients

The number of people who have Alzheimer is increasing and an alarming rate. In America, it is estimated that approximately 6 million people have the disease. 10% of the people above the age of 65 years are reported to have Alzheimer (Ernst & Joel 1264). The increasing number of patients has resulted in the citizens questioning the effectiveness of the care given as well as the measures in place to prevent the disease. The government is, however, channeling resources into medication, researches, and training more professional to alleviate the situation.

Formulation of possible solutions

The formulation of possible solutions ought to be guided by the manner in which the brain functions and a deep analysis of the effects of the disease on the functioning of the brain. The discovery of the brain imaging techniques should be incorporated in finding solutions to the medical condition. Brain imaging knowledge is currently being applied in studying Alzheimer in Sweden. Doctors use the technique to confirm the presence and the position of the amyloid proteins in a patient’s brains for early diagnosis.

Coming up with possible solutions also go hand in hand with the development of expertise. Through joint training and research, discoveries about the disease are continually being made like the establishment of the connection between the memory function and the existence of amyloids. Besides, there is a need to have diagnostic markers necessary for making medical practitioners to easily detect the symptoms of the disease at an early stage. Just like Sweden and other nations have taken research projects with great importance, the US and other nations in the world should be committed to accomplishing similar or even better goals.

Works Cited

Baddeley, A. D., et al. “The decline of working memory in Alzheimer’s disease: A longitudinal study.” Brain 114.6 (1991): 2522-2524.

Birks, Jacqueline S. “Cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease.” The Cochrane Library (2006):43.

Ernst, Richard L., and Joel W. Hay. “The US economic and social costs of Alzheimer’s disease revisited.” American Journal of Public Health 84.8 (1994): 1264.

Sze, Chun-I., et al. “Loss of the presynaptic vesicle protein synaptophysin in hippocampus correlates with cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease.” Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology 56.8 (1997): 933-935.