What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

It is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder incidence of which rise sharply with advancing age. Symptoms of the disease include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, and loss of language skills. As the disease progresses, there is an ever-growing dependence on others to perform even the most routine tasks such as bathing and dressing. The average length of the illness is seven years, but it can last as along as twenty years or more. There is no cure. Alzheimer’s always ends in death.

What causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

Research indicates that the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are the result of the death of nerve cells in distinct areas of the brain. However, scientists do not know what causes the loss of those cells. Genetic and environmental factors are also being investigated for the roles they might play in causing the disease.

How widespread is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s is the fourth leading cause of death among the elderly in the U.S. claiming 100,000 lives annually. The disease affects an estimated four million individuals. Most cases occur after age 65; however, some individuals in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s can be affected. Recent studies indicate that 10 percent of those age 65 and over suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. The incidence increases greatly with advancing age. Approximately 20 percent of those aged 75 to 84, and nearly 50 percent of those 85 and older could have the disease. It affects all segments of the population, and it is not restricted to any one race, gender or socioeconomic class.

What is the impact of Alzheimer’s Disease in dollars and cents?

The total U.S. cost for the care and treatment of Alzheimer’s patients has reached $100 billion a year Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient at home cost the average family between $18,000 and $36,000 per year. Nursing home care costs even more, averaging $42,000 annually. [this is a 2002 info – have any updated figures?].

Source: Alzheimer’s Research Review, Summer 2002

Helping Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease Get Adequate Nutrition

Individuals in the later stages of Alzheimer’s Disease are likely to lose weight. There may be many reasons for this: depression, ill-fitting dentures, or a physical problem, such as stomach distress. The individual should be assessed by a physician to either rule out or treat such causes. Because the individual is easily distracted, confused, has lost his appetite or sense of taste/smell, or has forgotten how to use eating utensils, the caregiver needs to try a number of strategies to encourage the intake of food and fluids.

If the person with the individual has difficulty chewing, offer soft foods such as applesauce, cottage cheese, Jello, cream soups, yogurt, scrambled eggs, or mashed potatoes.

If the individual has difficulty with utensils or doesn’t stay at the table to eat, offer finger foods. For breakfast, an omelet can be cut into squares that can be eaten with the fingers. Sandwiches are easy to carry around and can be made very nutritious with cheese, chicken or tuna salad, or peanut butter and jelly. Other finger foods include French fries, cheese cubes, soft fruit such as bananas or strawberries, or crackers.

Adequate fluid intake is critical. Offer small cups of fluid (water, milk, fruit juice) through out the day. Fruit smoothies are a real hit with the participants at the Adult Care Center. In a blender, mix just about any fruit with ice and milk or yogurt. Smoothies are a bit thicker than most fluids and may be easier to drink.

In the later stages of the disease, a person with Alzheimer’s might take 45 minutes to an hour to complete a meal. It may be helpful if the caregiver can eat with the individual to model appropriate behavior and to assist as needed. If the individual has difficulty staying on task for a large meal, try offering smaller, more frequent meals. Each small meal could consist of just one food, to avoid overwhelming the person with too many choices.

Mealtime should be a quiet time with no distractions, so that food remains the focus. Turn off the TV and play some quiet background music. Make sure that the food contrasts with the color of the plate, and the plate color contrasts wit the place mat, so that the person can see the food easily. If the person needs assistance with eating, the caregiver should be at eye level and should explain quietly as feeding proceeds. “Here’s a spoonful of potatoes. Open your mouth. Take a bite.” Or simply help the person to find and hold a spoon. Help with the first bite, and the person may be able to continue eating on his own.

No two people with Alzheimer’s are the same, so the caregiver needs to observe carefully and try different techniques until successful eating occurs. Patience and a calm voice are important to making mealtime a pleasant part of the day.