Case Study Analysis of Alzheimer Disease

Running head: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS 1
Case Study Analysis
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Case Study Analysis
In the elderly, one of the most common causes of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia is a syndrome in which deterioration of memory, behavior, thinking and daily
activity performance and ability (Livingston et al., 2017). Even though dementia is not
considered to be a normal part of the ageing process, Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive and
irreversible brain disorder, can cause rapid cognitive impairment and memory loss in the
elderly. The biggest risk factor associated with dementia is age, where the disorder becomes
very common after the age of 70 (Langa, 2015). The following sections of the paper will
perform a case study analysis, based on which a therapeutic plan will be crafted. In addition
to this, associated risk factors along with other relevant subjective and objective data will be
analyzed.
Case Study Analysis
A 70-year-old female patient, M.W., with a medical history of osteoarthritis,
hypertension, total hysterectomy and atrial fibrillation has reported incidents of memory loss.
A particular incident where the patient could not remember where she has parked the car
indicates a more severe and progressed memory loss. The daughter states a few other
incidents, such as bouncing of checks and other cases of forgetfulness, indicating dementia.
Taking the age into consideration and post-analyzing the objective cognitive complaint from
the patient, Alzheimer’s form of dementia is suspected in the patient and needs to be
diagnosed.
Drug Therapy Analysis
The following drugs are currently being taken by the patients:
 Fosinopril 20 mg PO daily for the treatment of hypertension.
 Metoprolol Succinate 50 mg PO daily to control high blood pressure and
lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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 Warfarin 5 mg PO daily to treat atrial fibrillation associated thromboembolic
complications.
 Vitamin D 1,000 IU PO daily to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis.
 Acetaminophen 325 mg 2 tablets three times a day for pain management.
Diagnosis
Based on the description of incidents, the patient is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
dementia. For diagnosis, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test was performed
and the patient had a score of 22 out of 30 in the diagnostic test. A score between 21 to 24
indicates mild dementia, thus demanding a therapeutic plan for mild dementia to be
developed for the patient (Creavin et al., 2016).
Therapeutic Plan
Considering the progressiveness of the disease, a therapeutic plan needs to be devised
to address the issue of mild dementia in patient. The specific goal is to provide treatment
options for dementia. As Alzheimer's dementia is an irreversible condition, it is crucial that
effective interventions are offered to cease the progression of memory loss in the patient
(Robinson, Tang, & Taylor, 2015).
Goals of Treatment
Memory loss with the inability to perform daily functions is a critical aspect of
treatment. The interventions discussed in the upcoming sections of the paper has the
following goal of treatment:
1. Slow down the progression of cognitive impairment
2. Control behavioral symptoms
3. Avoidance of depression and pain
4. Enhance memory and ability to perform daily functions
5. Promote the social engagement of the patient