The second objective is Dementia that includes Alzheimer disese that is associated with loss of cognitive functioning such as remembering, thinking and reasoning. Dementia is mostly considered as a syndrome rather than a specific ailment. The causes are numerous including, neuropsychiatric, primary neurologic and medical conditions (Gale et al., 2018). The goal of the community education is to decrease the cost and morbidity associated with and enhances or maintains the quality of life for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s condition. Early diagnosis of dementia is critical to effective care and treatment; moreover it is crucial to distinguish dementia from other temporal conditions such as medication side-effects, alcoholism or infections and tumors of the brain.
Implementation Plan for Education on Dementia
The first step comprises of carrying-out a situational analysis and selecting priorities of the health needs and status of persons living with dementia, their families and carers. The inputs of all stakes holders will be considered as well as filling of gaps and taking opportunities while delivering services. The second step entails building-up on the gathered evidence from the first step and identifying the priorities of the education area into a strategic and cohesive framework. The last step involves transition to the actual implementation of the training, monitoring and evaluating the progress. Dementia plan identifies the value of elderly people and asserts the necessity of policy change with an aim of improving prevention, care and treatment. A comprehensive plan ascertains the future vision and strategic framework of educating the community.
The Project Justification
By the year 2014, Alzheimer’s disease was number 6 leading killer disease among 18 years and over in America. Nevertheless data gathered by Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAPS) shows that dementia prevalence in the adults 65 years and above by 2016 was 11 percent which translate to over 5.2 million individuals. There is need for the communities to be educated about the condition since the cost of healthcare in relation to Alzheimer is around $236 billion annually. The disease affects patient’s health; capability to live independently and enjoying quality live.
Awareness concerning dementia and its corresponding symptoms has been low with almost 60 percent of people not knowing exactly what dementia is. Training that involves education on mental health are accessible to various health professionals, it is also crucial for the communities to be trained on dementia and how to offer care to persons with the condition. Misperceptions in regards to the condition and stigmatization may occur due to fear and lack of sufficient information. The project will be carried-out in Chicago since the advocacy want to keep persons with dementia to remain active in the community engagement. The society is also open to education sessions for business leaders, emergency personnel’s and other societal members (Abderholden, 2016).
Necessary Teaching Materials
Educating community on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease will support the next generation to have knowledge and understand the condition. There are several clinical practice tools and training material available for educating communities about dementia they include; Cognitive screening tools designed to discover early cognitive changes while assessing cognitive impairment. Some of the tools include;
Mini-cog: it is a three minute device that has two components, a clock drawing test and an item recall memory test. The device is available in numerous languages.
Short informant Questionnaire on cognitive decline in the Elderly (IQCODE): it asks information’s such as relatives, spouse or any close person to the patient.
AD8 Dementia Screening Interview: it is designed as an information screening tool and has eight questions concerning changes in individuals thinking, behavior and memory. The kit is available in Spanish and English language.
Quick Dementia Rating System (QDRS): the device is designed as an information screening tool whereby respondent are required to rate change in the patient on 10 categories covering functional and cognitive capabilities.
Nursing Intervention to Improve Dementia
People with cognitive impairment, their care givers and families have all recognized quality life as a significant goal in the dementia treatment. Unique nursing strategies that positively improve the quality live of the patients are highly recommended. Multimodal and individualized care must be tailored according to the client’s specific needs. There should be reduced severity of behavioral and cognitive symptoms through medical interventions.
Public and Private Partnerships in Support Community Education Project on Dementia
Public-private partnership in support of community education is vital in health improvement for people diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer condition. When academic researcher, Alzheimer advocacy association and community come together, the education will be achieved easily to the betterment of the patients and the society at large. The education program may take one month to accomplish with several field practice.