Introduction
The problems of changes in the cognitive functions of the brain over time are one of the leading causes of depression, delirium, and dementia in older adults. Dementia can subsequently develop into Alzheimer’s disease, which is incurable, as well as in Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2018). This paper aims to present a summary of what was learned during Week 1 and Week 2 and discuss how this information may help in providing healthcare for older people.
Main body
When treating Alzheimer’s disease, the correct diagnosis is critical, since in the early stages, its symptoms expressed in memory problems and decision-making, can sometimes be attributed to other conditions. Early changes can begin 20 years or more before diagnosis (“Inside the brain,” n.d.). In the middle stages, symptoms may include serious memory problems, and the inability to navigate in space. At later stages, a person completely loses the ability to recognize loved ones and the opportunity to take care of themselves.
The disease is caused by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques formed after the sudden death of nerve cells. Experts in neuroscience who are researching the problems of the aging brain are now working to identify various trends associated with reversible and irreversible brain changes. For example, specialists have found that cognitive changes in the brain of healthy older people are reversible through cognitive exercise (Chiu et al. 2017). Nonetheless, scientists have not yet clarified why the nerve cells start dying.
The above information is beneficial in terms of working with older patients. In particular, understanding the reasons why older patients are more prone to depression helps to reduce the level of anxiety towards the patient by the caregiver. Timely medication or psychotherapeutic treatment of depression is also critical, since patients may not detect it and usually associate its symptoms with other circumstances. It is also extremely informative that for older patients with depression, psychotherapeutic treatment, such as behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy, may be more effective than drug treatment.
Conclusion
Thus, the summary of the main points learned was presented as well as a discussion of how this information may help in providing healthcare for older people. The most common diseases associated with changes in cognitive functions of the brain are depression, delirium, and dementia. Correct and timely diagnosis, as well as appropriate treatment, can make life easier for many older patients, as well as their caregivers.
References
Cavanaugh, J. C., & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2018). Adult development and aging. Cengage Learning.
Chiu, H. L., Chu, H., Tsai, J. C., Liu, D., Chen, Y. R., Yang, H. L., & Chou, K. R. (2017). The effect of cognitive-based training for healthy older people: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One, 12(5).
Inside the brain: a tour of how the mind works. (n.d.). Web.