A 74-year-old male with a long-standing history of hypertension and coronary art

Question

A 74-year-old male with a long-standing history of hypertension and coronary artery disease begins to exhibit personality changes, deterioration in personal hygiene and difficulty managing finances. His wife of 50 years becomes concerned, and schedules an appointment with his healthcare provider, who diagnoses him with Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s type.

Arrangements have been made for a visiting RN to come to the house once weekly.

In what stage of Alzheimer’s disease is this client?

What criteria did you use to determine this?

What are 3 priority RN assessments when home visits are made?

What are some anticipated caregiver issues for this client’s spouse?

List and describe 3 intercollaborative referrals that may be needed for this client within the next year or so.

Explanation / Answer

Vascular dementia is a condition in which there is decline in thinking ability occurs because of the reduction or blockage of blood flow in the brain. Some of the symptoms of vascular dementia are confusion, disorientation, loss in vision, trouble in speaking or in understanding speech. The person in his moderate stage of the Alzheimer disease because he has symptoms like personality changes, deteriorating personal hygiene and difficulty in managing finances. At this stage the person uses confusing words, gets frustrated or behave in an abnormal way like refusing to bath. The person found difficulty in performing routine tasks. Also the person feels moody or withdrawn especially in socially or mentally challenging situations, also there is change in personality or behavioural changes like suspiciousness, delusions etc.

When home visits are the three important priority RN assessments is to record all the data regarding functional capacity ,general physical health and cognitive abilities of the patient.

The caregiver issues that the proper care of the patients is necessary as well as their needs should be taken care of like helping them in their daily activities like brushing teeth, bowel movement. Besides that they should be given a proper balanced diet and their medicine should be given in proper time. Also never make them feel like they are suffering from the dementia and talk to them.

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