Month 9: Understanding Alzheimer's Disease & Working with Behavioral Needs
From the SCDHHS approved topic list: Alzheimer's-specific care strategies and how to respond to common behavioral needs, building on Month 6's dementia orientation.
Alzheimer's Disease: A Closer Look
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for a majority of cases, and it follows a generally progressive pattern through recognizable stages. In early-stage Alzheimer's, a client may still function fairly independently but experience noticeable memory lapses -- misplacing items, forgetting recent conversations, or struggling to find words. Middle-stage Alzheimer's typically brings more significant memory loss, confusion about time and place, difficulty with tasks like dressing or cooking, and the emergence of behavioral symptoms. Late-stage Alzheimer's involves severe cognitive decline, significant physical needs, and often loss of the ability to communicate verbally. Knowing roughly where a client is in this progression helps you set realistic expectations and adjust your approach as needs change over time.
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