Alzheimers Disease in Australia - Essay Example

Report Report The resource kit has been mainly developed with the purpose to promote wellbeing amid the who are dealing with dementia. It must be mentioned that the kit has been made with regard to biological, psychological and behavioral symptom associated with the health complication of dementia (Hunter, 1997). Notably, the social aspect of dementia was also taken into consideration for better diagnosis of the diseases amid the clients with the help of the resource kit. In order to get a better understanding of the health issues of dementia, considering the study of World Health Organization will be crucial. Notably, with regard to the understanding gained from the study, it can be said that dementia is a term used to describe the syndrome where there is a progressive decline in the ability of a person to function in everyday activities, behavior, thinking and memory owing to the unstable condition of the brain. These changes affect the social, psychological and physical life of an individual with regard to career, family and society (WHO, 2012). Though dementia is not a result of ageing, it certainly affects older age individual more than others. According to the report of the World Health Organization, around 35.6 million people have been diagnosed with dementia worldwide in the recent time. The second resource that was taken into consideration is the report regarding Alzheimer’s disease in Australia, which is a complication relevant to dementia (IAGG, 2011). There are many different forms of dementia and each has its own causes. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 50% to 70% of dementia cases, which is again followed to as vascular dementia (Fight Alzheimer’s Save Australia, n.d.). Again, Lewy body dementia and Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration dementia is other forms or complications relevant to dementia. The resource mainly contains the difference in memory changes amid a person with dementia and an older person. The next resource that has been developed is a brochure regarding Alzheimer’s organization about ‘five simple steps to maximize your brain health’. The steps include taking care of the heart, physical activity, brain activity, healthy diet and social activity to further stabilize the health of the brain (Australian Indigenous Health, 2013). The fourth resource was published by the National Health Institute, 2010 on the Biological Basis of Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia. It contains both biological and psychological aspects of health. The biological aspect of dementia includes the aspects of ageing, gender, genetic and family history of dementia while, the psychological aspect includes the assessment of behavioral symptoms in dementia to measure an individual functional and cognitive ability (Garand, 2000). The fourth resource is relevant to ‘Treating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia’ with reference to Alzheimer’s organization, 2014. Notably, 90% psychological symptoms of dementia patients are psychosis (hallucination and delusions), agitation and aggression. These symptoms are developed due to general health problem of an individual who is under the influence of dementia (Muller-Spahn, 2003). For example, discomfort in an environment, social interaction, hunger as well as type of care are some of the causes of such distress The ‘Dementia support and education services’ brochure by Alzheimer’s Australia is the fifth resource in the resource kit in the domain of managing psychological and behavioral changes of an individual with dementia. This particular resource kit contains education, support, counseling and community awareness services in various locations throughout South Western Sydney (Understand Alzheimer’s Educate Australia, n.d.). The next resource is a brochure by South West Sydney Dementia Education and Training for carers to understand more on dementia, stress management, legal and relationship issues as well as provide further assistance to support clients belonging from different cultural background (South West Sydney Ageing and Disability Support Services, 2014). Subsequently, resource include a brochure presented by South Western Sydney Local Health District on information regarding dementia patients and their income, role and legal rights along with cultural and language support. Again, another brochure was portrayed by the New South Wales Health Government with regard to the rights and responsibilities for patients, carers and families. Moreover, subsequent resource of the resource kit includes a template on a recent forum been held for dementia carers in Camden Civic Centre on the 24th of September 2014. The forum mainly discussed about the types of dementia, progression and medication for patients with dementia, providing support for behavioral management among dementia patients and residential care among others. The next resource included carers registered under the New South Wales membership application form to provide a free carers support to deal with dementia patients. Subsequent resource is to look after families and carers by Alzheimer’s Australia, which focused on the importance of taking a break for the carer from caring to help reduce stress for both carers and patients with dementia. This resource contains suggestion on the available approach for patients with dementia such as respite service (Gormley, 2014). The next resource is a brochure on Macarthur Dementia Day Services, which is a respite service for patients with dementia. It incorporates social aspects for treating or handling patient with dementia. The unit works from Monday to Friday from 8.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. where it provided respite and centered based care for individual with dementia. The day care center conduct activities or programs specifically designed to meet each client’s needs throughout the day. Chair exercises and walking in the garden after lunch are some of the example of physical activities that is provided in the day care center. Again in this similar regard, matching up, board games and sorting clothes are a few of the brain activities being held in the day care center. Furthermore, social activity is also being provided by the center comprising painting and sing-a-long in a group depending on a particular theme, which changes weekly. The day care center also provides morning/ afternoon tea and hot meals as per the ‘Meals on wheels’ program. It is a particular set of services that provides various appetizing and healthy meals to the day care center. This program ensures to provide healthy diet to a patient with dementia. Another resource includes a brochure on Hammond Care on the overnight home respite care to support patients with dementia and carers. These respite services could benefit both the patients and the carers and allow the latter to have a break during the day or few days in order to organize their personal activities and balance their personal and professional life. References Australian Indigenous Health. (2013). Your brain matters. Retrieved from http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/key-resources/programs-projects?pid=2193 Fight Alzheimer’s Save Australia. (n.d.). Types of dementia. Retrieved from https://fightdementia.org.au/about-dementia-and-memory-loss/about-dementia/types-of-dementia Gormley, N. (2014). The role of dementia training programmes in reducing care-giver burden. Retrieved from http://pb.rcpsych.org/content/24/2/41.full Garand, L. (2000). The biological basis of behavioural symptoms in dementia. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2864073/ Hunter, S. (1997). Dementia: challenges and new directions. US: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. IAGG. (2011). The global burden of dementia worldwide. Retrieved from http://www.iagg.info/data/DU_-_Global_burden_of_dementia.pdf Muller-Spahn, F. (2003). Behavioral disturbances in dementia. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181717/ South West Sydney Ageing and Disability Support Services. (2014). Service details. Retrieved from http://www.supportservices.org.au/support-services-directory/view?id=c8d48a44e44bdb355d0ef1d6a84eac44&key=scJxKC&sessid=1b3a82435152c20e5c9e814820b6cb17 Understand Alzheimer’s Educate Australia. (n.d.). Services and programs we provide – WA. Retrieved from https://wa.fightdementia.org.au/wa/support-and-services/services-and-programs-we-provide WHO. (2012). Dementia: a public health priority. Retrieved from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2012/9789241564458_eng.pdf Read More