M.E. is a 66-year-old woman who has a 2-year history of progressive forgetfulness. After a neurologic evaluation, M.E. was diagnosed as having Alzheimer disease (AD)
She is no longer able to care for herself, has
become increasingly depressed and paranoid, and recently started a fire in the kitchen. Her husband and
children have come to the Alzheimer unit at your extended care facility to seek information about AD and
discuss the possibility of placement for M.E. You assure the family that you have experience dealing with
the questions and concerns of most people in their situation.
How would you explain AD to the family?
AD is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the brain. It causes irreversible loss of memory and
loss of mental functions, particularly in tasks involving language, behavior, and thinking. Symptoms
usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily
tasks. The rate of progression of AD varies from person to person. Currently there is no known cure.
The time of onset of symptoms until death ranges from 3 to 20 years, with an average of 8 years. It
usually takes 3 to 15 years for a person to become mentally and physically disabled or incapacitated.
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