Understanding and Providing Care for Alzheimer's Patients

According to research conducted by the Alzheimer's Association, as of 2010, 5.3 million people in the U.S. suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Caring for a patient with the disease is a challenging task, as it is a complicated cognitive and physically degenerative disease.

Significance

• Caregivers for Alzheimer's patients must be aware of the severity of the illness. It is a neurodegenerative disease that progresses through a series of stages; symptoms become worse at each stage. Due to the extent of the illness, specialized homes and nursing facilities have been set up to adequately care for patients.

Function

• Trained nursing staff can handle Alzheimer's patients effectively through ongoing education and training. It is important to assign nurses to specific patients in order to provide familiarity, which is essential when caring for patients with this disease.

Types

• A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is the most qualified to look after an Alzheimer's patient. The CNA is responsible for aiding the patient in daily living such as toileting and eating as well as administering the necessary medication.