Health And Illness Across The Lifespan Health And Social Care Essay

Health And Illness Across The Lifespan Health And hearty C atomic tour 18 EssayThe Royal College of Nursing defines nurse as the map of clinical judgement in the provision of c be to alter nation to improve, maintain, or recover wellness, to cope with health problems, and to achieve the best executable quality of animateness, whatever their affection or disability, until death (RCN, 2003). This essay testament look at the occasion as a nurse, in livelihood an individual, the family or c ber living with a person suffering from Alzheimers distemper. Walkers, (2002) definition of Alzheimers is that of a degenerative creative thinker unsoundness, manifesting itself in premature progressing, with speech disorder and was number nonpareil discovered by a German neurologist, Dr Alois Alzheimer who, in 1906, examined the brain of a uncomplaining he cared for who subsequently died of an unusual mental disease (dementia) at age 51. Her symptoms included memory loss, languag e difficulties, and unpredictable behavioural manner. after her death, Dr Alois Alzheimer examined her brain and found a plague like structure and obscure filament in the nerve (neurons) of the patient brain (Stanton, 2001). The plaques represent a naturally befallring sticky protein and the tangled filament represents collapsed tau proteins. Though Krebs, et al (2012) possibleness agrees with this that plaque clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibres (now called neurofibrillary tangles) accumulating in the brain triggers this disease, it has been called into question.Of today, Alzheimers is classified an unquantifiable skill condition which h previous(a)s indoors its own even off a large theater of mental health. The definition of Walkers, (2002) degenerative refers to gradual deterioration this nub that this disease whitethorn be broken into gradual puts of early, middle and late. The early (onset) stage appears with symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, personality and behavioral changes, these normally occur amongst 2-4 years prior to and during diagnosis. The middle (progressive) stage has similar symptoms as the onset but with more obvious signs such as an sum up of confusion, an increase of memory loss, difficulty in completing simple tasks, demonstrate a decrease in colloquy skills and occasionally cease at times appear to be delusional this stage may be more distinct with language ability macrocosm decreased. This stage has a time frame of 2-10 years following diagnosis. The late (end) stage gift symptoms that are more prominent than earlier stages, with the inability to care for oneself with low or no communication ability, continence and inability to recognize love ones, followed by death unremarkably received by infections. These symptoms may appear between 1-3 years after the disease has passed through its progressive stage as Gwythers (1985) cited by Gogia and Rastogi (2009). Though the cause of t his disease is a common undefendable amongst scientist and physicians, it is believed that excessive ambition of aluminium may be a separate actor in acquiring this disease. In the 1960s and 1970s, research showed noble aluminium levels in the brain tissues of some the great unwashed who died with Alzheimers disease this denudation spurred public concern that exposure to aluminium in our diet could be the cause of the disease (Rao and Rao 1995). Since then several scientific studies have examined the connect between aluminium and Alzheimers, and none have found a expire association between them, Dean (2009). This contradicts Crapper et al (1976) that Aluminium has been shown to be associated both, with plaques and tangles, in the brain of large number with Alzheimers disease.There have been numerous studies among experts to finalise the issue in question, whether aluminium is in fact the cause of Alzheimers disease. This has been extremely difficult as this common disease is believed to have multiple causes, but while aluminium is widespread in our environment, at that place is no manner that allows researchers to measure this individual burden or lifetime exposure to this element.Lliffe and Rusted, (2012) states that although no one single factor has been identified to be the cause of Alzheimers disease, it is liable(predicate) that a combination of factors, including age, genetic inheritance, lifestyle and overall general health, are responsible. Even so, Alzheimers disease has a high impact on the patriarchal population affecting around 496,000 people in the UK, with one in all(prenominal) fourteen people over the age of 65 and one in six over the age of 80, this shows that the greatest jeopardize factor of Alzheimers is indeed old age. However, this disease is not restricted to the fourth-year contemporaries in the UK alone, there are over 17,000 people under the age of 65 living with the disease. (Ref) The Wife of United States former p resident Regan quoted Alzheimer disease is a cruel disease that steals lives. Its hard to know what to expect. The years of exchanging memories of old age are gone. Its a unyielding, long entire-bye (Reagan, N. Cited in Brill, 2005).Burfoot, (2008) believes there are a minority that do not worry roughly getting Alzheimers disease these include athletes which are at half the risk compared to that of the sedentary individual, studies have shown that they are showing lower risk for venerable dementia and diseases like Alzheimers. Indeed, the chances of Alzheimers disease increases with each successive year of life after age 65. However, Alexander, (2009) believes that the disease is inevitable and is associated with the ageing population, particularly from the vitiate boom generation that came after the second world war and in any case due to the difference in medical care given by the National Health service (NHS) compared to health services that were available at this era, bec ause of this people are living longer, and an increase in population means more people are making it to old age, but the observe for making it to old age is a gift of Alzheimers for 6 from every 100 people who gets past the age of 65, (Brody 2011). Though scientists have estimated that 496,000 people have Alzheimers disease in the United Kingdom alone and 22 million worldwide, the disease only if affects about five percent of people ages 65 to 80 and nearly half the population of those 80 and older. Disturbingly, the disease is becoming even more common statistics now show that the number of people with the disease doubles every five years among older people and failing to check a preventative or curative measure will be costly to society.Alzheimers disease not only affects the patient, but the society and family around them. Alzheimers disease slowly attacks the cognitive function, which is the higher(prenominal) thought processes. These individuals degenerate in such a way tha t they kick the bucket to the stages of infantile dependents (Ref). While the lives of family fragments, especially those directly involved in the individuals care, are significantly impacted in m any an(prenominal) ways, caring for magnanimouss with a degenerative disease can be an extremely physically demanding task, Clark, (2001). For the primary phencyclidine hydrochloride involved in the day-to-day care, the disease can take its price emotionally, physically, mentally and financially. The carer responsibility may even be extended for many years of course this depends on what stage of Alzheimers the sufferer has been progressed to.The diagnosis of a parent or spouse with Alzheimers disease may also have words up a number of mixed emotions such as frustration, helplessness, or even guilt. The fact that it is a progressive and ultimately terminal illness can be difficult to grasp, Lu and Bludau (2011). To have a family member suffering from Alzheimers disease alters your lif e unavoidably, as the reversal of roles from being the minor to the nurturing care provider can be unsettling and even overwhelming. The impact on the family can be quite difficult to witness, of watching a previously vibrant and independent parent decline over time to a former shadow of themselves and having to adjust to the increasing responsibilities as a caregiver can be psychologically demanding, as this role reversal usually occurs for spouses. For example a husband whose wife who has always managed the household may find himself having to take over this role, or vice versa. Children and grandchildren, nieces and nephew may find themselves in this role. Whatever the net-up of the family, there is usually a role reversal, where someone to steps into the shoes of the caregiver, Lu and Bludau (2011).This is where a therapeutic human blood between the nurse, the family and patient has to be formed this is a key broker in the nursing profession that enables the best care pos sible is provided to an Alzheimers sufferer. However, in advance any treatment is given consent must be obtained (NMC, 2008) whether it may be from family members or clinicians caring for the patient on a day-to-day basis if the patient is unable. Making decisions for such person as long as its deep down their best interest and lacking the mental skill to do so for themselves is acceptable, as the Mental Capacity Act (the Act) 2005 states any act done or decision made on behalf of an adult lacking capacity must be in their best interests. In the case of an Alzheimers sufferer, as their cognitive memory deteriorates, neglection and decision making for themselves kick the buckets apparent, these patients becomes passing vulnerable, helpless and in a dependent position and looks to the nurse to sustain their dignity and respect for their confidentiality, as stated by the Nursing and obstetrics Council (NMC), a person must be treated with respect, dignity and has the right to conf identiality, NMC (2008). As quality of care not only depends on good healthcare but also on respect for the person as an individual DH, (2001).Teamwork in this sense also has a vital role, without this, communication between different agencies such as social services, and the multidisciplinary team which may involve psysiotherapy, psychologist and nutritionist. These skills together will order the support readed to make sure treatment is patient-centered and also promotes a collaborative partnership between the patient and health professionals (Silverman et al, 2005), only then effective treatment can be achieved that is needed for an Alzheimers sufferer. As a nurse, one should have delicate communication skills, whether through speaking, writing, observing or listening (Egan, 2002), this will enable them to be the ultimate patients advocate. To expand on this, nurses form the primary formation of support this could range from logistical issues, such as treatment in the accident and emergency department through to being admitted to the ward within the hospital. In the case of an Alzheimers patient where the patient may be within his or her own home for some time, regularly visiting the patient to assess the patients health condition, to provide emotional support to both frighten patient and family member.The nurse must be able to facilitate and identify any health promotions needed for his or her patient so that they are able to implement any strategy to best support the patient, family and carer neccessary. In an Alzheimers patient, onset of many chronic diseases, infection or illnesses will become inevitable and a reduction in a once sparkly individual will be a thing of the past, as their brain deteriorates. Alzheimers sufferer may forget simple task such as washing of themselves or eating the required amount of meals necessary for intake of nutritions needed, thus health promotions has to be tailored specifically for an Alzheimers patient unigue lif e sentence (Hubley and Copeman, 2008). Addressing issues such as smoking or cooking as advantageously as living alone will enable any health concerns will allow you to make any changes before they become a danger to themselves or others.Alzheimer sufferer also needs to be defend from abuse this is one of many authoritative aspects of being a nurse. exclaim may come in many forms, being physical, psychological, financial, sexual, neglect or discriminated upon because of their culture or ethnicity and as the United Kingdom becomes a multicultural society, there are implications on how healthcare is delivered by nurses. Furthermore, a nurses performance is guided by principles of moral and legal rights, this compliments excellent nursing care. Awareness of the legal codes helps them to control complicated situation that they may incur and helps to direct the nurse as well as their multidisciplinary team in the best possible action answerable by law (Dimond, 2011). It is important that nurses are aware of this and that they are sensitive when treatment is being administered. Nurses need to familiarise themselves with what is acceptable behaviour and respond accordingly (Timby, 2005). An example being that in some cultures it may be unacceptable to make nitty-gritty contact while in others it is not or it may also be unacceptable to touch certain parts of one body.In conclusion, whether or not aluminium or old age is infact the cause of Alzheimers disease, the nurse has to be the the patients representative in order to address rudimentary issues that exist between, the family, carer and society. Also, to amalgamate the multidisciplinary team and relevant agencies so that health promotions may be implemented by means of controling infections, which is the predisposing factor of an Alzheimers patient death. This relationship is complex and the nurses job has to be the forefront of it all, whether it may be to get up family and carer on how best to include hyg iene and infection control as the disease worsen or to inform the multidisciplinary team about the patients health and wellbeing.