Case Report: Care of the Agitated Emergency Department Patient With Alzheimer’s Disease

Global estimates of persons in various stages of Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia, were estimated to be at 416 million. It is estimated that 22% of people who are 50 years of age or older have Alzheimer’s disease. According to the National Institute on Aging, millions of families took care of loved ones at home who had serious chronic diseases, which included Alzheimer’s disease. It is important that these statistics are understood by emergency nurses because their assigned emergency patient may be in any stage of Alzheimer’s disease.

This case report is about a patient with advanced Alzheimer’s disease being cared for at home by her daughter, an experienced emergency nurse. The patient developed uncontrollable agitation owing to Alzheimer’s disease dementia that necessitated multiple emergency department visits. A gap in emergency nurses’ knowledge of available resources to help family members navigate home care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease was identified.

Tools that empower emergency nurses during care of patients with uncontrolled Alzheimer’s disease agitation are provided. Palliative and hospice services available for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease are discussed. Emergency nurses are encouraged to share information with families to facilitate dignity during a loved one’s end of life.