Reflective Journal On Alzheimers Nursing Coursework - 1375 Words

Reflective Journal On Alzheimers Nursing Coursework (Coursework Sample) Content: Reflective Journal on AlzheimersNameInstitutional AffiliationReflective Journal on AlzheimersMy dreams were realized when I was accepted into the registered nursing program at St. Joseph Hospital an extended care nursing institution that is located a few kilometers from my residence. The excitement that came with such a prospect made me arrive at the facility at 6.30 oclock in the morning, which is pretty early considering that I usually found comfort in arriving late to my appointments. Within my mind, this was an experience which I was planning to invest every bit of my time and learned skills. My love for learning and caring for people made me excited, and I embraced my first clinical experience on a medical floor with patients with dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). I particularly relished the challenge of incorporating the cultural experience of the patients into the various dimensions of clinical care (Yektatalab, Sharif, Kaveh, Khoshknab, Petramfar, 2013) . The passion was too much that I was not moved by the fact that I had not been exposed to caring for the elderly who were sick, like my other fellow nursing students.To better understand the disease and care for my patient I decided I needed to learn further whatever I could about Alzheimer's to empower my patients. I highly believed that understanding the condition and the patients affected deeply was a vital starting point for a successful experience in the institution. My starting point was to assess and understand the history and different stages of Alzheimer's disease.History of AlzheimersUntil this point in my career, I had gathered basic facts about Alzheimers disease including the first experience by Dr. Alois Alzheimer on one of his patients who had died of an unusual mental illness characterized by observed microscopic alterations in the brain (Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet, 2017). Based on this understanding, I possessed a knowledge of the significant clinical symptoms which have been well associated with the condition. It was interesting to note that the initial symptoms inferred by Dr Alzheimer like profound memory loss and abnormal deposits, and shrinkage around the neurones from an autopsy are still a mainstay, though comprehensively understood in this present time (Major Milestone in Alzheimers and Brain Research, 2017). From my research, I found the progress made since the disease was named by Emil Kraepelin back in 1910 to be significantly enormous. I believe the discovery of important tools like the electron microscope and scales for measurement of the declining functional and cognitive activity in adults is important in this progress. These important discoveries opened the integration of modern research tools in the 1970s to help in comprehensive understanding of the disease leading to the increased awareness of the condition in the 1980s (Major Milestone in Alzheimers and Brain Research, 2017). The quick progress made about the disease i n the turn of the century is vital, resulting in the scientific exploration of the brain and increased national and global awareness of the condition. Of major importance to me were the incorporation of regular cognitive assessment in Medicare and the growth in the conduction of clinical trials aimed at preventing the condition.At the end of the research, I was convinced that great strides have been made in handling the condition not only from a medical perspective but also through the inclusion of significant psychosocial therapies that enhance the lives of people living with the condition. A deeper insight into the history of the disease revealed vital facts that were essential in helping embracing an emphatic approach towards learning and caring for my designated patients during this time of my career. Despite this progress, I was set back by the relatively high numbers of people living with the condition which stood at more than 27 million globally with a 1 million per year incr ease rate (Yektatalab, Sharif, Kaveh, Khoshknab, Petramfar, 2013).Stages of AlzheimersAn in-depth understanding of the stages of the condition was an important part of my learning and prepared me for the experience I was about to have with my patient. It came as no surprise that the disease had three stages of mild (early stage), moderate (middle stage) and severe implications (advanced/late stage). My research further revealed that the condition had different effects on individual patients despite the categorized stages, with some instances having no clear transitions. Probably, the most moving thing I learned about the condition was the slow and prolonged but profound progress it makes on individuals. This progress explains why individuals can live with the conditions for several years of gradually decreasing cognitive and physical functions.The first or mild stage of the disease is associated with occasional memory lapses, and lack of concentration. I believe this is important i n for every patient care nurse to help detect the various concentration and memory difficulties by the patient during check-up and interviews. The second/ moderate stage is associated with anger and frustration due to damaged nerve cells. The clinical manifestations which were more important for my knowledge include difficulties in accomplishing basic tasks and thinking independently. The final/advanced stage that I learned is associated with the complete loss of cognitive abilities and is clinically manifested through exhibited need of extensive aid and increased dependence. It was important to note that the patient at this stage is vulnerable to infections from the environment.The patient I attended to was a married man who had been newly diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. My analysis of his condition made me realize he was probably in the middle or the latter stages of the condition. He was non-responsive and would sit there for long time spans without any significant actions. Th e nurses within the institution had tried several ways of interaction including writing the statement the sun is shining which he would recite over and over again. Although this was important, I tried to devise better ways that I could effective engage him to ease the caring process. Having used diversion tactics and open ended conversations with my kids successfully I thought this would be an option for him. Realising he lived in an animal farm, he must have had a liking for animals; therefore, I decided to engage his thoughts and emotions in that perspective. I realized his mood was uplifted and he began to converse with me about animals freely. Realizing I was succeeding in this aspect, I decided to contact the institutions nursing department to help with pet therapy.Pet therapyI believe animal assisted therapy can be useful in helping engage an Alzheimers patient both mentally and physically during nursing. It involves the use of animals like dogs, horses, cats and robotic simul ations of pets in impacting the health of the patient (Cherniack Cherniack, 2014). The positive response exhibited by this my patient presented a good opportunity to choose from his favorite farm animals to help in caregiving. Finally, I had found a way to assist out and make my much-anticipated experience better and successful.We subject the patient to a weekly 2 hours-long activity schedule with a dog and its trainer for the entire time I was at the institution (Cherniack, Cherniack, 2014). The patient played with, petted and walked the dog under the control of the trainer. In most of the conversations I had with him I was amazed that he was moved even by just watching the dog move in and around the area. Seeing him engaging happily in these activities was intriguing to me and the epitome of my experience in this institution.Patient EmpowermentThe success of the pet therapy got me thinking of effective ways of empowering the patient to live independently back in the animal farm alongside his family with minimized difficulty. I believed this would help the caregivers adopt a patient-centered care that is aligned with his needs and choices. Therefore throughout the session, I did my best to explain to both the family and the patient vital aspects of connecting with others, through effective communication and how to perceive various behavioral languages. I recommended to the family, the importance of learning to communicate in simple, slow and precise terms with the patient (Major Milestone in Alzheimers and Brain Research, 2017). Also, throughout the period we spent with him in the institution, they had learned how to perceive the various reactions he showed through his behavior and attitude toward different needs and actions. These actions were to be carried out as short-term goals which would be assessed through regular follow-up.Caregiver RolesAlthough the roles associated with caregiving for the patient were enormous, I had to find out ways to find effec tive ways to transfer this role to the family and make the process the success I have always looked up to and achieved in similar instances. The patie...