Bright Light Dementia

Nearly 135 million people worldwide will be impacted by dementia by 2050 (Robinson, Tang, Taylor,. 2015). Dementia is not a disease, it is an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with the decline in memory and thinking skills. Dementia is a progressive illness that results in the loss of one’s sense of self (Burns, Byrne, Ballard, Holmes, 2002). The two most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia. Dementia is progressive and people with dementia experience complications with short-term memory, keeping track of personal items, paying bills, taking care of themselves and daily tasks (Haigh, Mytton, 2016). Due to the rising number of individuals developing dementia, it is causing major challenges in the healthcare systems and society (Angermeter, Luck, Then, Riedel-Heller, 2016). Utilizing psychotropic medications are often ineffective or harmful to the individual, therefore, many patients decide to utilize sensory therapy as a form of treatment instead (Livingston, Kelly olmes, et al., 2014). Caregivers of individuals with dementia can also experience health consequences related to caregiving at the end of life. Spousal caregivers are 40.5% higher odds of experiencing frailty as a result of caregiving (Carr, Dassel, 2017). Dementia does not only affect the individual, it affects those around them, society, and the healthcare system.

We carried out an extensive review of the literature on non-pharmacological treatments for dementia using Medline and other related searches, but this is not intended to be a formal systematic review.

Lighting is an important environmental factor to assist people with dementia. Nevertheless .current research is restricted about the impact of lighting to assist people with dementia. The restaurant had wonderful natural lighting as the front had no windows and directly opened on to the pathway. The front section and back lighting as discussed in the appendix, resulted in poor lighting in the back. Glare come from the white table tops and colour of the walls and roof was beige. The available restaurant lighting

Dementia is an extremely common disease among the elderly, with 4 million Americans currently suffering from the Alzheimer’s type alone. Figures show that 3% of people between the ages of 65-74 suffer from the disease, rapidly increasing to 19% for the 75-84 age bracket, and as high as 47% for the over 85s. Therefore, it is easy to see why Dementia is such a large part of many people’s lives, whether they are suffering from the condition themselves, or have an elderly relative who requires full time care just to undertake simple day to day tasks. The disease can be extremely traumatic for the patient and their families, as the person, who may have been extremely lively and bright throughout their

A research study was conducted by Dr. Helen Kales and others as to whether or not antipsychotic drugs increased mortality rate in elderly dementia patients. In her article in The American Journal of Psychiatry, Kales concluded, “Antipsychotic medications taken by patients with dementia were associated with higher mortality rates than were most other medications used for neuropsychiatric symptoms.” According to Dr. Lyketos, who did a presentation about dementia patients, “A few neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia patients include: depression, sundowning, anxiety, repetitious questioning, and sleep disturbance” (Lyketos). Sundowning is one of the most common symptoms and occurs when the patient suffers “increased confusion and agitation at cyclic

Dementia individuals require a regular routine in their life, for instance; feeling comfortable and knowing their surroundings, the carers should ideally be faces they know well, rather then brought in for the day bank staff. When the regular routine is thrown off kilter, dementia individuals can feel confused, annoyed and unbalanced.

This assignment critically discusses about dementia, a widespread disability among older adults today. It provides an introduction to dementia and analyses its prevalence in society. The various forms of dementias are elaborated with description about dysfunctions and symptoms. Nursing Assessment and Interventions are provided in the further sections which discusses about actions nurses should take on while evaluating patients and treating them. Finally, communication, an important Activity of Daily Living (ADL) is explored and patient/carer advice is presented so as to maintain good health conditions in the patient.

Davidson, T. D., Graynor, B. A., Hammett, R. C., Huddleson,Edwin E., I.,II, Ihne, R. W., &

During my first clinical rotation as a nursing student, I was assigned to care for several older adults suffering from dementia. Although all of my patients ranged in severity from mild to severe progression of dementia, they all experienced moments of agitation, anxiety, or disturbed behaviors related to their disease. It occurred to me after careful review of several patient charts that despite often being prescribed pharmaceutical regimes for other comorbidities, these patients were rarely prescribed medications, besides those to control anxiety, specifically targeted at treating their progressing dementia. Through some research I discovered that the significant number of individuals affected with dementia is a growing public health concern in part due to the current limited ability of pharmaceutical treatments to treat the disease (Samson, Clement, Narme, Schiaratura, & Ehrle, 2015). This revelation began my interest in current nonpharmacological treatments being implemented in controlling adverse behaviors and feelings in patients diagnosed with dementia.

The study involved 19 healthy contributors, 10 with mild Alzheimer’s disease, and 11 with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Presented with various PET scans, each divided subject groups were administered the test five different times as flashing light, measured by frequency and interval, was presented to the test subject in a pair of goggles. When asked to describe the flashes of light, subjects with moderate to high Alzheimer’s disease tested low for cerebral brain function (CBF) as their results were to be compared with the healthy group. Although those suffering from mild Alzheimer’s disease, comparatively, tested lower CBF than the group of healthy participants, the results were significantly lower for those in the severe to moderate subject groups (Mentis, Alexander, Krasuski, Pietrini & Al, 1998, Data Analysis para.

Our five senses connect our minds with the world that surrounds us. Many people begin to experience difficulties with their senses as they age. If an individual with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder begins to lose some of these senses, the confusion that he or she is already experiencing may worsen. Even when an individual has difficulty making sense of complex sensory stimuli, a pleasant sensation can still provide enjoyment and an unpleasant one can evoke a feeling of disgust. There are numerous positive effects related to stimulating the senses of an individual who has dementia. Sensory stimulation has no boundaries, which is why caregivers are creating sensory rooms for seniors.

Out of the rapidly inclining population in the world, there are people who develop dementia every 66 seconds(“2016 Alzheimer’s Disease”). Being such a common disease in the elderly, there are 47.5 million people in the world with this disease(“2016 Alzheimer’s Disease”). Once families start to realize that their parents and grandparents have developed this, they start to wonder if they are able to live on their own. Within a few months, a decision is made whether if it is best for them to be put into a nursing home. Most often, those with dementia do happen to end up in nursing homes. Many wonder if being put into a nursing home will actually cause their dementia and their ability to live on their own to worsen. With the effects of activities, this could change. Activities help slow the deterioration of the brain(Smith). The activities and exercises performed by nursing homes to help improve the overall cognitive development in dementia patients. Nursing homes should induct purposeful daily activities to improve cognitive, social, and psychological development in dementia care

In this section, the results of studies gathered using Multisensory Environments (MSEs) is presented. The use of Snoezelen, gardens and controlled environments alike were used to find the benefits of multisensory therapy with dementia patients living in nursing homes.

With the same approach, this study was followed up by a third study. Same flicker room and light shining through the eye balls for 1 hour a day for 7 days, using mice with full blown Alzheimer’s. The results were the same. There was nearly a 50 percent reduction in amyloid beta levels. However, one downfall was that unless the lights were flickered every 24 hours, the levels of amyloid beta levels increase again.

Dementia as the article noted is a universal problem affecting over 35 million people and the number increases annually. In the UK, it is expected that over a million will be affected by 2025 (Alzheimer Society 2007). Dementia causes progressive decline in cognitive functions and complicates the impact of sensory experience by affecting communication, memories, perception, feelings, emotions, and quality of life. McCaffrey (2008) cited by Eells (2014) asserted that music and singing are very important arts used to lessen anxiety and agitation in people with dementia and enhance their quality of life. In a related study article by Sung et al (2010), preferred music and singing intervention provided by trained nursing staff had a profound influence in reducing anxiety in older adults with dementia. Music and singing is increasingly being used as mode of relaxation during mealtimes, reduce stress and agitated behaviours, aid increased food consumption, evokes feeling of happiness and promotes social interaction. Music and singing is also noted by Chan (2007) cited by Eells (2014) to effect physiological changes such as increased oxygen saturation levels, lowers blood pressure, pulse rate and heart rate. Walker (2011) cited by Eells (2014) noted osteoarthritis as the most frequent incapacitating disease in older adults because it inhibits their mobility, and