Assignment Instructions
Identify a common perceptual, neurological, or cognitive issue and discuss contributing factors. Outline steps for prevention or health promotion for the patient and family. Identify public health departments or local resources in your area that the patient or family could reach out to for support.
Sample Answer
Identify a common perceptual, neurological, or cognitive issue and discuss contributing factors.
One of the neurological diseases is Alzheimer's disease which is caused by abnormal build-up of proteins around and in the brain cells. The major contributing factors to Alzheimer's disease are age, family history, down syndrome, head injuries, and cardiovascular diseases. Advancement in age doubles the risk of Alzheimer's every five years for an individual attaining the age of 65 years (NHS, 2024). Family history contributes to Alzheimer's disease as there are various genetics that lead to the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain. Severe head injuries increase the risk of individuals developing Alzheimer's and the lifestyle factors that are associated with cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking (NHS, 2024).
Outline steps for prevention or health promotion for the patient and family.
There are steps that can be undertaken to promote the health of the patients and their family members. Prevention of management can be through preventing and managing high blood pressure. A lot of American adults are living with undiagnosed and unmanaged high blood pressure. The second intervention for preventing Alzheimer's is managing blood sugar if a person is living with diabetes (CDC, 2022). Management of a healthy weight through engagement in regular physical activities and healthy eating is the third initial step in preventing Alzheimer's. Engagement in physical activities improves an individual's thinking, reduces the risk of anxiety and depression, and enables an individual to sleep better. Additionally, it is necessary for an individual to engage in activities necessary to quit smoking, avoid excessive drinking, sleep adequately, and mitigate loss of hearing.
Identify public health departments or local resources in your area that the patient or family could reach out to for support.
There are several resources that support individuals with Alzheimer's. These groups include patients and caregivers of patients suffering from Alzheimer's. Public health practitioners as a resource are usually on the front line of fighting Alzheimer's in the federal, state, and local health governments. Community health advisors are an important resource as they bridge the gap between healthcare systems, communities, individuals, and social service agencies. Other individuals who actively participate in the management of Alzheimer's are health educators, professional caregivers in long-term care services, and home care and social workers.
References
CDC. (2022). Reducing risk of Alzheimer's disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/reducing-risk-of-alzheimers-disease/index.htm
NHS. (2024). Causes -Alzheimer's disease. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/causes/#:~:text=Alzheimer's%20disease%20is%20thought%20to,form%20tangles%20within%20brain%20cells