Alzheimer's Disease For The Elderly People
Alzheimer's disease among the elderly has been an overwhelming issue in the global platform in recent days. The prevalence of the disease among the elderly has been on an increase thus raising concern about the wellbeing and future of human kind. The elderly have been much affected by the disease in relation to other age groups in the society. The disease is the most common type of dementia, which is in this case incurable, degenerative and terminal disease. Based on the serious of the disease, there have been many concerns on the factors accelerating the prevalence of the disease. This paper will focus on the issue of Alzheimer's disease as addressed in the MedicineNet.com article, "Being Housebound Linked to Alzheimer's in Elderly".
The article, "Being Housebound Linked to Alzheimer's in Elderly" by Randy Dotinga has adequately tackled the issue of Alzheimer's disease among the elderly. In this case, the main group of focus by the article is the elderly. The article draws attention on the main factors contributing the extent of the disease among the elderly. The aspect of being housebound has been strongly associated with Alzheimer's in elderly. The article has also adequately addressed other factors associated with the high prevalence of Alzheimer's in the elderly. It is also worth noting that the costs of isolations of the victims have also been addressed by the article. Randy Dotinga indicates that people, who are much confined in their houses, fail to use their minds much, thus affecting speech and memory. The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in the US population has been highlighted, whereby it is close to 5.2 million (Dotinga 2011: 1).
In relation to the article by Dotinga (2011: 1), Alzheimer's disease among the elderly has been closely related with the aspects of remaining housebound. Most of the elderly have less movement, speech as well as reasoning. This is in relation to the fact that, remaining home means meeting few people, thus they don't use much of their brains. Nevertheless, this explanation was not satisfactory, whereby the underlying brain diseases were used to explain the situation better. As argued by Dotinga (2011: 1), the elderly may remain indoors following the insidious working of the disease. These may have significant impacts on speech and memory. The concept of Alzheimer's disease has been closely related with the aspects of mobility. In this case, people who had less movement out of their homes were more vulnerable to the disease as compared to those who had regular movements.
The issue of Alzheimer's disease among the elderly has been clearly described by the cognitive and psychoanalytic theories. The cognitive theories have elaborated on the cognitive changes and developments in late adults. With regards to the insights of Erik Erikson, old adults from the age 65 years demonstrate significant mental functioning changes. Nevertheless, the theories cleared the controversy that growing old is not a certificate to physical and mental deterioration. This has been proved through the high number of old adults who have are actively engaged in different activities as well as leading happy lives. The whole concept of aging and the associated diseases has been sufficiently addressed through the integration of knowledge on sociology, biology, psychology, among other fields(Kukull et al 2011: 2).
The developmental theories have given an explicit explanation and discussion concerning the physiological and cognitive changes among the elderly. In the case of cognitive theories, significant brain gains and losses have been identified. Old adults like any other group have cognitive developments that are reflected through brain gains and losses. Nevertheless, the aspects of depression among the old age are at a higher level. This is in relation to the changing environments, relationships as well as perceptions of life. Based on the significant growth of the old population, the issue of cognitive development becomes a vital topic. According to Dotinga (2011: 1), growing old is not primarily associated with cognitive development. With this in mind, there are many factor associated with cognitive deterioration among the elderly like the increased depression and stress. Decreased mobility and interactions is also a vital factor leading to mental deterioration and stagnation (Dotinga 2011: 1).
In the case of psychoanalytic theories, Erik Erikson has clearly illustrated on the changes in human behavior in the various changes. According to Erik Erikson, growth and change in lifespan is closely influenced by psychosocial developments. In this regard, the conflicts and interactions entailed in each stage of development affect human behavior. The elderly in this case face serious changes in behavior following the psychosocial developments (Weisgraber and Mahley 2001: 1485). The reduced interactions comprises to a higher extent of stress and depression. Based on these psychology and cognitive development among the elderly, changes of developing the disease are enhanced. This change explains the onset and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease among the elderly. The disengagement theory and activity theory also contribute in explaining the development of the conditions among the elderly. In this case, the elderly withdraw from social activities and remain partially dormant (Weisgraber and Mahley 2001: 1485).
Alzheimer's disease has been characterized with significant changes and developments on the individuals. As indicated by Kukull et al (2011: 2) the diseases causes tremendous changes on the cognitive, psychological and physical orientation of the elderly. Some of the most outstanding changes causes by the disease on the victims include cognitive and functional impairments. Kukull et al (2011: 2) postulated that, the elderly demonstrates rapid changes in cognitive functioning. Deterioration of normal mental and physical functioning of the individuals is dominant thus leading to their inefficiency and inability in executing simple tasks.
Old adults suffering from Alzheimer's disease demonstrate rapid loss of memory and brains. This causes significant impacts on execution of very familiar takes. Weisgraber and Mahley (2001: 1485) indicate that the disease is characterized by usual frequency of forgetting among the victims, whereby they forget simple things which are familiar to them. The aspects of unnecessary confusion among the victims are also as result of the disease. Based on these scenarios, the normal performance of the individual is deteriorated. In case of working elderly, termination of job is always a consequence of the disease. This is based on their inability to execute their duties (Weisgraber and Mahley 2001: 1485).
Unusual difficulties in speech are also vital characteristics among the victims of Alzheimer's disease. The use of simple phrases and word becomes a serious problem among the victims, thus demonstrating the impact of the disease on their development. From another perspective, the level of fluency in writing and speaking of otherwise familiar tasks becomes difficult. With regards to this situation, the entire well being of the person is jeopardized. This is so because; communication with the outside population is partially cut down.
A serious crisis of disorientation to place is also exhibited by the victims. This is a threat to their development thus demonstrating the seriousness of the disease. The rate and extent of disorientation is unusual, bearing in mind the familiarity of the place to the victims. Simple phenomenon like, time, way or streets becomes big difficulties to Alzheimer's victims. As a result of this crisis, the victim may withdraw from the social setup as well as difficulties in executing simple tasks (Vierck and Hodges 2003: 154).
Decision making is also significantly impacted by Alzheimer's disease among the elderly. The victims fail to make decisions on simple things like clothing as well as budgeting. As a result of this phenomenon, the victims demonstrate unusual extravagance as well as inappropriate clothing. This may lead to social misfit of the victims, thus worsening their social developments. Another serious problem resulting from Alzheimer's disease is the issue of obstruction to abstract thinking. As indicated by Perry (2006: 231), the victims exhibit unusual misunderstanding and disorientation on meaning and use of numbers. Based on this scenario, the cognitive development of the individuals is obstructed. Other vital aspects of Alzheimer's disease among the elderly include longer sleeping hours, misplacement of thinks, rapid change of interest, drastic mood swing, as well as loss of initiatives. These phenomenons affect the general well up of the victim in the social, economic, psychological and cognitive aspects (Perry 2006: 231).
Summary
The article, "Being Housebound Linked to Alzheimer's in Elderly" by Randy Dotinga has adequately tackled the issue of Alzheimer's disease among the elderly. In this case, the main group of focus by the article is the elderly. The article draws attention on the main factors contributing the extent of the disease among the elderly. The aspect of being housebound has been strongly associated with Alzheimer's in elderly. The article has also adequately addressed other factors associated with the high prevalence of Alzheimer's in the elderly. It is also worth noting that the costs of isolations of the victims have also been addressed by the article. Randy Dotinga indicates that people, who are much confined in their houses, fail to use their minds much, thus affecting speech and memory. The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in the US population has been highlighted, whereby it is close to 5.2 million (Dotinga 2011: 1).
Analysis
In relation to the article by Dotinga (2011: 1), Alzheimer's disease among the elderly has been closely related with the aspects of remaining housebound. Most of the elderly have less movement, speech as well as reasoning. This is in relation to the fact that, remaining home means meeting few people, thus they don't use much of their brains. Nevertheless, this explanation was not satisfactory, whereby the underlying brain diseases were used to explain the situation better. As argued by Dotinga (2011: 1), the elderly may remain indoors following the insidious working of the disease. These may have significant impacts on speech and memory. The concept of Alzheimer's disease has been closely related with the aspects of mobility. In this case, people who had less movement out of their homes were more vulnerable to the disease as compared to those who had regular movements.
The issue of Alzheimer's disease among the elderly has been clearly described by the cognitive and psychoanalytic theories. The cognitive theories have elaborated on the cognitive changes and developments in late adults. With regards to the insights of Erik Erikson, old adults from the age 65 years demonstrate significant mental functioning changes. Nevertheless, the theories cleared the controversy that growing old is not a certificate to physical and mental deterioration. This has been proved through the high number of old adults who have are actively engaged in different activities as well as leading happy lives. The whole concept of aging and the associated diseases has been sufficiently addressed through the integration of knowledge on sociology, biology, psychology, among other fields(Kukull et al 2011: 2).
The developmental theories have given an explicit explanation and discussion concerning the physiological and cognitive changes among the elderly. In the case of cognitive theories, significant brain gains and losses have been identified. Old adults like any other group have cognitive developments that are reflected through brain gains and losses. Nevertheless, the aspects of depression among the old age are at a higher level. This is in relation to the changing environments, relationships as well as perceptions of life. Based on the significant growth of the old population, the issue of cognitive development becomes a vital topic. According to Dotinga (2011: 1), growing old is not primarily associated with cognitive development. With this in mind, there are many factor associated with cognitive deterioration among the elderly like the increased depression and stress. Decreased mobility and interactions is also a vital factor leading to mental deterioration and stagnation (Dotinga 2011: 1).
In the case of psychoanalytic theories, Erik Erikson has clearly illustrated on the changes in human behavior in the various changes. According to Erik Erikson, growth and change in lifespan is closely influenced by psychosocial developments. In this regard, the conflicts and interactions entailed in each stage of development affect human behavior. The elderly in this case face serious changes in behavior following the psychosocial developments (Weisgraber and Mahley 2001: 1485). The reduced interactions comprises to a higher extent of stress and depression. Based on these psychology and cognitive development among the elderly, changes of developing the disease are enhanced. This change explains the onset and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease among the elderly. The disengagement theory and activity theory also contribute in explaining the development of the conditions among the elderly. In this case, the elderly withdraw from social activities and remain partially dormant (Weisgraber and Mahley 2001: 1485).
Development
Alzheimer's disease has been characterized with significant changes and developments on the individuals. As indicated by Kukull et al (2011: 2) the diseases causes tremendous changes on the cognitive, psychological and physical orientation of the elderly. Some of the most outstanding changes causes by the disease on the victims include cognitive and functional impairments. Kukull et al (2011: 2) postulated that, the elderly demonstrates rapid changes in cognitive functioning. Deterioration of normal mental and physical functioning of the individuals is dominant thus leading to their inefficiency and inability in executing simple tasks.
Old adults suffering from Alzheimer's disease demonstrate rapid loss of memory and brains. This causes significant impacts on execution of very familiar takes. Weisgraber and Mahley (2001: 1485) indicate that the disease is characterized by usual frequency of forgetting among the victims, whereby they forget simple things which are familiar to them. The aspects of unnecessary confusion among the victims are also as result of the disease. Based on these scenarios, the normal performance of the individual is deteriorated. In case of working elderly, termination of job is always a consequence of the disease. This is based on their inability to execute their duties (Weisgraber and Mahley 2001: 1485).
Unusual difficulties in speech are also vital characteristics among the victims of Alzheimer's disease. The use of simple phrases and word becomes a serious problem among the victims, thus demonstrating the impact of the disease on their development. From another perspective, the level of fluency in writing and speaking of otherwise familiar tasks becomes difficult. With regards to this situation, the entire well being of the person is jeopardized. This is so because; communication with the outside population is partially cut down.
A serious crisis of disorientation to place is also exhibited by the victims. This is a threat to their development thus demonstrating the seriousness of the disease. The rate and extent of disorientation is unusual, bearing in mind the familiarity of the place to the victims. Simple phenomenon like, time, way or streets becomes big difficulties to Alzheimer's victims. As a result of this crisis, the victim may withdraw from the social setup as well as difficulties in executing simple tasks (Vierck and Hodges 2003: 154).
Decision making is also significantly impacted by Alzheimer's disease among the elderly. The victims fail to make decisions on simple things like clothing as well as budgeting. As a result of this phenomenon, the victims demonstrate unusual extravagance as well as inappropriate clothing. This may lead to social misfit of the victims, thus worsening their social developments. Another serious problem resulting from Alzheimer's disease is the issue of obstruction to abstract thinking. As indicated by Perry (2006: 231), the victims exhibit unusual misunderstanding and disorientation on meaning and use of numbers. Based on this scenario, the cognitive development of the individuals is obstructed. Other vital aspects of Alzheimer's disease among the elderly include longer sleeping hours, misplacement of thinks, rapid change of interest, drastic mood swing, as well as loss of initiatives. These phenomenons affect the general well up of the victim in the social, economic, psychological and cognitive aspects (Perry 2006: 231).
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