TESTIMONY IN FAVOR OF HOUSE 3384 AN ACT REQUIRING PHYSICIAN TRAINING ON ALZHEIMERS AND DEMENTIA PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 24TH 2016 Good afternoon, my name is Olivia Guiney, I am here as a concerned healthcare provider, representing the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter. I wish to express full support for the bill H. 3384, “An Act Requiring physician training on Alzheimer’s and Dementia.” The Bill, H. 3384 would require physicians to be trained in the Alzheimer’s and dementia care at the time of each physician’s licensure renewal. This act will require the medical board of Massachusetts to add an amending paragraph that is specific to physician training in Alzheimer’s in Section 2, chapter 112 of the general …show more content…
It provides the opportunity for prompt evaluation of the patient and possibly administer tests and treatments for reversing and determining the causes of memory loss. In addition, early diagnosis provides time for patients and families to prepare for the future and most importantly it maximizes the patients opportunity to contribute to their own care planning process. As previously stated, the diagnosis of dementia most commonly takes place in the primary care setting. During primary care visits with older or elderly people the interactions tend to be brief and patients often present multiple health conditions that they are experiencing. It can be challenging for the physician to pin point those intersecting health concerns with Alzheimer’s if they are not properly trained to do so. Early symptoms may not even be apparent to the primary care physicians unless they are directly assessed. This is a growing concern in terms of the escalating potential of …show more content…
However, the only aspect the state has control over is the educational related reasons for missed diagnosis. Primary care physicians need access, on a biennial basis, to receive the most up to date information about what changes are “normal” in aging and what is not. As we know,**********There are numerous difficulties for physicians when detecting and managing dementia. Among these difficulties there is patient avoidance, combined with the lack of resources and absence of assessment tools and protocols. All of these difficulties are joined with the unavoidable stigma that encapsulates the disease. If Massachusetts were to pass this bill, the training would readily available to be completed during the time of a physician’s license renewal every two years. Providing training on Alzheimer’s and dementia care during the licensure renewal process does not impede on a physician’s schedule.
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Show MoreOne of those comorbidities is dementia. According to Alzheimer’s Association’s alz.org article, Dementia is associated with decline in memory or other thinking skills that causes a person to lose his or her independence in activity of daily living such ability to walk or eat independently. Deterioration of physical and cognitive functions is an unavoidable progression of dementia. Yet the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services allows an automatic 100 days of Medicare Part A coverage to prolong their beneficiaries’ lives without medical necessity or reasonable benefit in skilled nursing facility
Dementia is a serious disorder caused by a variety of brain illnesses which affects a person memory .There are three symptoms stages which are early,middle,and late stages. A Person with dementia lose the ability to think well enough to do everyday activities or solve problems. It is also difficult for a person with dementia to interact with others which makes this disease overwhelming for the families of the Patient. The number of people who have dementia is currently estimated at 47.5 million.
The article titled “Half of Alzheimer 's cases misdiagnosed” made it evidently clear that Alzheimer’s disease is a disease we have yet to fully understand or treat. Not only is there a lack of information about this disease, it is common for the similar side effects of dementia to be confused with Alzheimer’s disease. To clarify what dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is, I will provide an authentic definition of each. To begin, I will state that there are different forms of dementia. According to a site that specializes in providing information about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, states that “Dementia is a general term for loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life.
According to Wilkerson (2017), impaired memory is a subjective characteristics of chronic confusion (p. 167). Another unique aspect is JT is not prescribed medication for her dementia. In some circumstances, pharmacological interventions are utilized (Harrison-denning,
Dementia should be viewed as a disability as the symptoms affect the individuals’ ability to be responsible for their everyday needs for example taking medication, remembering to eat and drink. Dementia also affects a persons’ capacity which can be a risk to their safety. Symptoms of dementia can be a big risk to the person as it affects memory so the person with dementia could forget vital things like turning an over off, not locking doors. Balance can also be affected so falls, slips and trips are quite common which means aids need to be put into place to try and prevent the risk of falls, slips, trips and other risks like leaving the oven on or not taking medication. Not having the capacity or ability to act responsibly for their health and safety is viewed as
Dementia History Dementia is a disease that brings grief to a family if it is not handled correctly. This disease gradually begins and worsens the cognitive ability over several years. In the dawn of nineteenth century, dementia was just a clinical concept. The doctors believed that dementia in aged people fluctuated within the idea that was due to the blockage in the major arteries in the brain or small strokes inside the vessels of the cerebral cortex. Recently they believe that the dementia is caused due to the mixture of both conditions.
It is with great excitement that I am applying for the position of Manager, Education and Outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association, Springfield, IL. I have completed a Masters of Public Health program at the University of Illinois at Springfield and have gained significant experience in community health education, applied research, conducting surveys, presentation, writing, public speaking, and working with the diverse populations. Also, I have a clinical background in dentistry and have significant knowledge about aging and Alzheimers which will add value in my work for the Alzheimer’s Association. As a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association since 2 years, I have actively participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s events at the Southwind Park in Springfield, IL. Along with other members of the association, I was responsible for registering the volunteers, provide information, distribute medals and shirts, collect donations, and greet volunteers with a smile along with other for the walk held in September 2015.
But all could use more training in areas such as how to properly respond to yelling residents, one of the more common issues in many nursing homes in which those with dementia are cared
Student Name: Kayla Stradomski Course # and Section/Time: COMM 101 DAH; Monday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:50 p.m. Topic: Alzheimer’s disease General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose Statement: To educate my audience on the aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. INTRODUCTION Attention Getter: Can you imagine your life if your memories and cognition slowly started deteriorating?
Geriatric Physician Assistants address the unique needs of elderly patients including multiple medications, special nutritional needs and end of life directives and
Caring for our Aging Love Ones According to Thorson (2000), “By far, the greatest amount of the care that is given to older people is delivered by family members” (p.63). My mom at 82 years old was diagnosed March 2014 with Alzheimer and Dementia. Caring for a love one with this type of disease is no easy task. While the doctor explained to us about the extensive care our mother would need as the disease progress, mom just sat there quiet in a blank stare.
Care of a Confused Client Introduction Dementia is the umbrella term given to the various disorders that cause damage to the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the main type of dementia and accounts for more than 50% of all cases. The other main types of dementia are Vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia and Fronto-Temporal dementia. Early signs of dementia are forgetfulness, problems performing tasks that were previously done with ease and confusion with time and dates. As the disease progresses, the person can have difficulty with communication and everyday tasks such as getting dressed and using the bathroom.
Dementia is one of the most feared diseases and expensive to society currently. It is defined as a clinical syndrome of acquired cognitive impairment that determines decrease of intellectual enough capacity to interfere social and functional performance of the individual and their quality of life. It is a known fact that patients tend to express themselves through their behaviour and expect their carers to understand this notion. The diverse kinds of causes of different behaviours are inability to communicate, difficulty with tasks, unfamiliar surroundings, loud noises, frantic environment, and physical discomfort. Many diseases can cause dementia, some of which may be reversible.
C. in a two-story house in Laval. According to the daughter, the patient is independent with her activities of daily living (ADLs). Mrs. M is able to make her bed in the morning and prepares her breakfast, but requires assistance with bath due to mobility and environmental constraints. With regards to the instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), Mrs. M. requires assistance with most of the activities, especially with finances, groceries, transport and others, hence the POA and the mandate. Although the dementia is progressing, Ms. C did not notice any changes with her mother’s cognition and functioning within the last six
Although I have always had a passion for working with children and this is where most of my experience lies, I also enjoy working with the elderly population. Having had a grandfather who struggled with Alzheimer’s for a long 10 years and having a grandmother who is currently battling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and being there every doctor’s appointment I could make it to have made it an eye opening experience for me. I have learned so much throughout the years; even when I was younger and I couldn’t truly understand what was going on. Growing up, I learned to ask questions of doctors and nurses and take an active role in their care, and this is another one of the reasons I decided to ultimately go into this field.