Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common brain disease that attacks elderly people, especially those above 60 years. AD advances the victims gradually and the process is irreversible. The disease slowly destroys the parts of the brain that are responsible for cognition and thinking.
The disease may result in a serious situation in which the patient cannot even undertake the simple chores that he or she used to carry out (Green, 2005). Mrs. C in the case study is gradually developing AD and as a result, she requires medical intervention to prevent her condition from getting worse.
Mrs. C’s condition is likely to deteriorate as the disease advances to higher stages (Green, 2005). This is likely to have various effects on her close relatives, who include her husband, and their two daughters. Her husband is likely to bear the greatest burden if Mrs. C’s condition gets worse. Mrs. C carries out all the duties in their home; however, this is likely to stop because in the next few years, she might be unable to carry out her usual household chores such as preparing meals.
She will not be able to move around on her own and her cognition is also expected to deteriorate. Her husband will have to take over the duties Mrs. C used to perform in their house. Mrs. C’s husband will have to move her around, and prepare special meals for her. He will also have to understand the changes that come with AD; he will have to learn how to take care of her even after these changes have taken place.
The daughters, like her husband, will be forced to design their daily schedules to ensure that they create time to see her on a regular basis. Mrs. C’s husband is old and is not in a position to take care of the house and the sick wife at the same time.
This is why his daughters have to help him take care of their mother. After a few years, Mrs. C will not be able to wash her clothes or prepare food for her husband and herself. Their daughters will be responsible for these basic duties. They will also have to spend a lot of time with the patient to reduce the rate at which her condition is expected to advance.
Mrs. C’s condition is not likely to affect the relationship between her and her relatives if they are sensible toward her. The relatives may choose to keep the patient at home or take her to a nursing home.
If they decide to keep her at home, then they will need to set up a number of security measures such as: using secure locks on all the windows and doors, installing carbon monoxide detectors, use of smoke alarms, and ensuring no drugs, weapons, plastic bags or equipment are within her reach (Green, 2005). However, the best safety measure in the case of Mrs. C is to take her to a nursing home for the elderly. If her husband refuses, he should be convinced that it is best option for his safety.
If Mrs. C was my grandmother, then her sickness would affect my family as well. It would force my family to set a lot of time aside to attend to her. We would ensure that she does not become extremely affected by her condition. I would make sure that she gets the basic services that she requires, which may include: special food that is prescribed by a physician and improved personal hygiene. I would also ensure that we install safety measures for the sake of her security and that of other family members.
Reference
Green, R. C. (2005). Diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. New York, NY: Professional Communications.