Teacher resource 2 – Alzheimer’s disease
case studies
In small groups, discuss these case studies. For each decide a diagnosis, what treatment and care
may be required and the likely prognosis for the patient.
1.
John is 72 years old. His lifestyle is not particularly healthy – he smokes, drinks more than the
recommended units of alcohol each week, has a poor diet and has high blood pressure. He
had a stroke four years ago and recovered well but is showing several symptoms including
memory loss, problems with language and trouble with planning.
Diagnosis – vascular dementia
Treatment/care – medication to reduce chance of another stroke e.g. – aspirin, warfarin.
Improve lifestyle – e.g. exercise, improved diet, stop smoking, reduce alcohol intake. Help at
home and carers to help with tasks, cooking. Dietician advice.
Prognosis – may delay further symptoms with improved lifestyle.
2.
Vera is 85. She is a widow, living on her own in a small flat. Her daughter who visits regularly
worries about her mother developing Alzheimer’s disease. She forgets about recent
conversations, confuses names and sometimes forgets where she has put her keys.
Diagnosis – Probably normal signs of ageing but could be early symptoms of Alzheimer’s. See
GP for tests.
Treatment/care – If Alzheimer’s is suspected, medication to slow progression (cholinesterase
inhibitors), changes to her flat e.g. grab rails, carers to help with regular meals and to give
medication, share memories, try to keep mentally alert, residential care if the conditions
worsens.
Prognosis –good quality of life can continue until symptoms get worse. Most sufferers die
within 8-10 years of symptoms starting.
3.
Caroline is 49. She forgets family members’ names, often cannot remember where she has
put her phone and keys and feels anxious and depressed. She recently forgot where she lived
when she was driving home. Her husband, who works full time, has noticed these changes
and suggested she went to her GP.
Diagnosis – Could be early onset AD. Needs to see GP for tests.
Treatment/care – Drugs to slow progression, help/care at home, stop driving, accompanied
when going out, anti-depressants to improve mood. Carers could be employed to help with
medication and care when husband is at work.
Prognosis – likely to progress so plan needed to increase care when required, eg nursing
home.
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4.
Dennis is 75 and lives with his wife who is 79. He has been suffering from memory loss and
other symptoms of Alzheimer’s for 4 years but has recently developed other problems
including – leaving the house wearing slippers and no coat, getting lost and being returned
home by the local shop keeper, needing help with personal hygiene, getting up in the middle of
the night to eat and occasionally becoming confused and violent. His wife is finding it very
difficult to care for him.
Diagnosis – Late stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Treatment - More care is needed as he should not be left alone. Symptoms are likely to worsen
quickly and medication is unlikely to help. Either care package at home or nursing home care.
Prognosis – most patients will die within 1-5 years.
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