THE NURSE’S ROLE IN CARING FOR ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS

The number of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients is rapidly increasing. To date, there may be half a million Alzheimer’s patients in Poland. World Health Organization forecasts that the total number of patients with dementia will amount to 75.6 million in 2030 and increase to 135.5 million by 2050. Modern care includes health strengthening activities, disease prevention, shaping the ability to live with the disease or disability, and assisting in dignified and peaceful death. This paper aims to present a model method for nursing of an Alzheimer’s patient, taking into account external and internal factors. Problems with everyday activities arise in each stage of the disease. Yet, their largest number is observed in the third and final stage. A nurse providing professional help and support to caregivers of patients with AD formulates nursing and caring instructions accommodated to the disease stage. According to the authors, the adjustment of individual care to the specific stage of the disease improves the patient’s quality of life. The synthesis of nursing activities performed for Alzheimer’s patients should be focused on the cooperation between the nurse and the patient’s caregiver. The patient’s family and caregivers’ education should be emphasized as their awareness and knowledge of the disease will result in better care. Caregivers’ insufficiency of expertise concerning the appropriate care may deepen the patient’s illness and intensify its consequences. Patients with advanced AD need constant, day-and-night care. Creating such conditions is often connected with sacrificing one’s personal life. Therefore, apart from imparting the knowledge concerning the right care, a nurse provides mental support to Alzheimer’s patients’ caregivers.