Understanding the Impact of Alzheimer's Disease on Families and Caregivers: A Discussion Paper

Running head: DISCUSSION PAPER
Discussion Paper
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1DISCUSSION PAPER
What impact do you think Alzheimers’s disease has on the patient’s family and/or
caregivers?
Alzheimer’s disease brigs about challenges not only to the affected patient s but also
to the families and care givers. The families become more conscious about taking great care
since memory impairment is a result. It is heart breaking for the families and care givers to
witness these disease changes. The primary care givers become physically weak and
financially stressed with the long term care provision and treatment (Menne et al., 2014). The
work life balance is often hampered due to continued care provision for the suffering loved
ones. Feeling if remorse or guilt occurs when severity of disease necessitates the need for
hospitalization.
How did it make you feel personally when you watched these videos?
While watching the videos, personally I could feel how difficult it is for an
Alzheimer’s patient to spend every day with nom previous memory. The instance which
showed that a woman went wandering without knowing where she was going or how she
would return, with no knowledge or capability to think, stuck me. I could understand how
dangerous it is for a family to always keep a watch over the affected loved one.
Have you had any personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease in your own family or
friends? How did it affect your family?
I did not have any personal experience of encountering Alzheimer’s disease. I have
seen a friend’s grandmother affected with Alzheimer’s disease. My friend and his family had
to make numerous adjustments, both at home and at work, to allow for greater time spent
with the affected and ensure increased safety.
What do you think a nurse could do to promote optimal care for these patients?