Introduction
Community-based long-term planning has developed over time. Today, a higher level of specialized knowledge and organizational lessons may be used to better the healthcare system as a whole. It is important to note that a holistic well-being assessment for the elderly is based on the assumption that they have greater physical, emotional, and cognitive health than younger people. Moreover, the need for periodic medical checkups has been impacted by the increased number of elderly people. Most older people start experiencing physical changes in their bodies around age 65 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). At this age, most individuals begin to feel fragile in their bodies. However, these changes vary depending on the individual’s physical attributes. Additionally, the majority of elderly persons who are not institutionalized in nursing facilities are unable to get the care they need. Thus, consideration is one of the conditions that older individuals need while receiving care. Preparing therapy for older adults will significantly improve their quality of life. Age-related loss in cognitive function is one of the most crucial aging processes that require proper diagnosis, treatment, and care.
Alzheimer’s in the Elderly
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder that primarily affects the elderly. It is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly and is characterized by a slow but steady decline in mental capacity and the death of brain cells (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). It is a neurological disorder that makes even routine activities challenging, as the affected individual gradually loses the ability to think clearly and remember things. Alzheimer’s disease is distinguished by the loss of nerve cells and connections (neurodegeneration) in specific brain regions such as the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and other memory-related areas (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). This damage and loss of brain tissue result in cognitive decline and memory loss. There have been many studies on what causes Alzheimer’s disease, but the specific cause is still unknown. Alzheimer’s Association (2018) postulated that the condition resulted from a combination of hereditary, environmental, and behavioral risk factors but acknowledged that the precise origin of the disease remained unclear. Currently, no cure can completely reverse the effects of the disease. Nevertheless, drugs like Cholinesterase inhibitors may help alleviate the symptoms for a short period (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). The condition may also be treated with drugs like Razadyne, Donepezil, and Exelon.
Population Affected
Age and gender are key risk factors for the development of Alzheimer’s disease in a person. Women are more prone than males to suffer from this condition. Besides, adults, particularly the elderly, are the most often afflicted by Alzheimer’s. These individuals will encounter various neurological issues after being diagnosed with this illness, including memory loss, difficulties finishing tasks, failure to pay payments, and even behavioral abnormalities (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). Some ethnic groups may also be affected by Alzheimer’s disease. According to one research, African Americans have a substantially greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease than Whites.
Cultural Implications
Culture plays a significant role in shaping attitudes and beliefs about Alzheimer’s disease and the elderly population affected by the disease. Americans’ negative societal views of the elderly and those with dementia date back many generations. However, attitudes towards the elderly and those living with dementia have changed for the better in recent years. The social stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease is one cultural effect. Dementia is still stigmatized in specific communities, leaving those who suffer from it and their loved ones feeling embarrassed and alone (Krishnamurthi et al., 2022). This discrimination may make people reluctant to ask for assistance, which can hasten their decline and further stress their caretakers.
The illnesses also significantly affect families, especially those of minority races. For example, caring for people with Alzheimer’s might be especially heavy in societies where family members are expected to shoulder that role. Due to this, tensions may arise within the family, and some members may feel unappreciated or abandoned. The societal expectation of filial piety burdens adult children who cannot care for their elderly parents and might cause them to feel guilty.
Financial Implications
The financial implications of Alzheimer’s Disease in the elderly are substantial, as the cost of care and support for individuals with the disease continues to increase. According to O’Hanlon et al. (2019), the estimated cost of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is $277 billion in the United States. Furthermore, O’Hanlon et al. (2019) state that this cost is expected to rise to over $1 trillion by 2050. In addition to the cost of institutional care, such as nursing homes, family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s often experience significant financial strain. The total lifetime cost of care (including Medicare, Medicaid, out-of-pocket expenditures, and the value of informal care) for someone with dementia was estimated at $341,840 in 2017 dollars (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). The costs associated with family care are 70 percent of lifetime dementia care costs ($143,735 in the value of informal care and $95,441 in out-of-pocket expenses related to care in 2017 dollars (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). Finally is the loss of income for the individual and their family. Anderson et al. (2019) in their article postulated that the estimated cost of lost earnings for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease is $9.3 billion per year. This can be a significant financial burden for families, especially those who have to give up their jobs to provide care for their loved ones.
The Interventions
To date, no complete treatment has been identified to remove Alzheimer’s disease from a person’s life entirely. Nonetheless, there are several treatments available to alleviate some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and improve quality of life in the meantime.
Medications
In some cases, medications may be prescribed to help improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s and slow down the progression of the disease. The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved two classes of medicine for treating Alzheimer’s disease: cholinesterase inhibitors like Razadyne and Exelon and memantine like Namenda (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). However, it is crucial to remember that these drugs may have a wide range of potential adverse effects on the patient’s body, from mild to severe, leading to a partly dysfunctional state of health.
Physical Exercise
Physical activity is a beneficial intervention for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Regular physical exercise has several advantages that may assist in reducing symptoms and decreasing disease development in the aged population. For instance, physical activity has been demonstrated to promote cardiovascular health, boost blood flow to the brain, and increase the synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that aids brain cell development and survival (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). These benefits may enhance cognitive performance, lower the likelihood of getting the disease, and decrease the advancement of the illness in those who already have it. Furthermore, physical exercise provides several mental health advantages in addition to cognitive ones, such as lowering stress and anxiety, enhancing mood, and increasing emotions of well-being. This is particularly essential for those with Alzheimer’s disease since sadness and anxiety are typical co-occurring illnesses.
Resources
Several resources are available to help the aged population deal with Alzheimer’s disease, including government initiatives, non-profit groups, and commercial sector resources. Government programs, for instance, Medicaid and Medicare, give financial help to Alzheimer’s patients and their families (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). These programs may assist with medical treatment, home care, and other required expenditures. Additionally, the contributions of charitable organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association are also crucial in enhancing the quality of life for those living with the disease and their loved ones. These organizations provide a wide range of help to those in need, from emotional support to educational opportunities to material aid. They also fight for laws and funds to help those with Alzheimer’s. Finally, private sector resources, such as private and long-term care insurance, may aid with the financial burden of Alzheimer’s disease. These resources may assist in paying for medical treatment and additional expenditures such as home care and respite care.
Intervention costs
Alzheimer’s disease is advancing quickly in people all around the globe. According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2018), every 69 seconds, one individual in the United States gets infected with this illness. Alzheimer’s and dementia are the most expensive illnesses, according to several statistics. The expenses of this globally disabling illness are immense, estimated at more than US$315 billion in 2005, although industrialized nations account for just 73 percent of expenditure and only 46% of identified cases (Yadav, 2019). Consequently, cost-effective treatment, particularly for Alzheimer’s disease, has become a hot topic. Various strategies may therefore be utilized to provide appropriate treatment while keeping costs in mind. Cost-effectiveness for a chronic condition like Alzheimer’s refers to the relationship between the services utilized to create the drug and the actual impact on the dead person’s wellness.
Intervention Sustainability
Since Alzheimer’s is a chronic illness with no cure, the only medical choices are to treat or monitor the disease’s symptoms. Nonetheless, these procedures and medications are only effective for a limited period. Aside from drugs, some behavioral and physical simulators are available. Cognitive enhancement therapy is one example of a simulation (CST). This is a mental simulation of a group of deceased Alzheimer’s patients. Cognitive enhancement therapy has been shown to improve the cognitive capacities of dead patients. The most notable benefit of the simulation is that it does not have the same adverse side effects on patients as prescription therapies (Carbone et al., 2021). Cognitive improvement therapy is long-lasting and advantageous to those who are emotionally stressed and do not have a lot of money. This simulation is largely used by African-Americans and individuals from Sub-Saharan Africa.
References
Anderson, T. S., Marcantonio, E. R., McCarthy, E. P., & Herzig, S. J. (2020). National trends in potentially preventable hospitalizations of older adults with dementia. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 68(10), 2240–2248. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16636
Alzheimer’s Association. (2018). 2018 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 14(3), 367-429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2018.02.001
Carbone, E., Gardini, S., Pastore, M., Piras, F., Vincenzi, M., & Borella, E. (2021). Cognitive stimulation therapy for older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia in Italy: Effects on cognitive functioning, and on emotional and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(9), 1700-1710. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbab007
JafariNasabian, P., Inglis, J. E., Reilly, W., Kelly, O. J., & Ilich, J. Z. (2017). Aging human body: changes in bone, muscle, and body fat with consequent changes in nutrient intake. Journal of Endocrinology, 234(1), R37-R51. https://doi.org/10.1530/joe-16-0603
Krishnamurthi, R. V., Dahiya, E. S., Bala, R., Cheung, G., Yates, S., & Cullum, S. (2022). Lived experience of dementia in the New Zealand Indian community: a qualitative study with family caregivers and people living with dementia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031432
O’Hanlon, J., Jacobson, E. D., & Perillo, K. (2019). The Role of Senior Centers in Mitigating Alzheimer’s and Other Forms of Dementia. Institute for Public Administration. The Role of Senior Centers in Mitigating Alzheimer’s and Other Forms of Dementia (udel.edu)
Yadav, G. R. (2019). Effect of rTMS in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Sham Controlled Study (Doctoral dissertation, Ranchi university). ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
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