Determinant of Health (Alzheimer's Dementia)

Determinant of Health (Alzheimer's Dementia)

Introduction

This paper focuses on understanding the determinant of health which are related to Alzheimer's, some of the major aspects which affect the patient as well as the families and friends will be discussed. This paper will focus on the story of Jack an Alzheimer's patient and how the disease completely altered his life and the lives of his loved one's.

Impact on the Patient

There are numerous cultural, environmental, social and economic impact of Alzheimer's disease for people suffering from this disease and their families. Jack's family and friends struggle with the tragic situation and which is all the more traumatizing for the children whose father refuses to recognize them. Jack's wife chose to keep Jack in a nursing home since he required a lot of care and attention which is worrisome for the family since they cannot always be with their loved one. Financial burdens are another issue Jack's care requires money and the family is experiencing difficulties in dealing with the situation. As far as Jack is concerned the situation is frustrating for him as well, most families overlook the fact that the patient himself might be undergoing serious trauma, Jack too faces a loss of identity and since his thinking is increasingly becoming impaired it becomes difficult for him to relate with people which ultimately leads such Alzheimer patients to opt for isolation. Jack's family must consider this aspect and maintain a relation with Jack apparently it might seem irrelevant but Jack needs all the care he can. The fact that he is increasingly becoming aggressive clearly indicates his fragile mental state and how frustrated he must feel at the changes taking place within his mind and throughout his life.

Identification of Epidemiological details

We will discuss the epidemiology of Alzheimer's through Jack in order to understand the causes and factor that lead Jack to develop the disease. From an epidemiological point of view there is no confirmation regarding the factors that lead to the development of Alzheimer's however research has proven certain factors that are considered to play a part on the gradual development of the disease (UPMC, n.d).

The primary elements which are known regarding the development of the ailment are age and genetics patients above the age of 60 are most liable to fall victim to the disease, as in the case of Jack who is close to 60, people who inherent the disease through genetics is also one of the cause why the disease develops. However in the case of Jack there is no confirmation whether his parents had this ailment, moreover Jack having the disease puts his children in grave danger of developing the illness. Recent research indicates there is a link of Alzheimer's with previous health conditions, considering the fact that Jack was diagnosed with pulmonary disease just around the time his wife started noticing his forgetfulness there might be a link between the two conditions. (ADR, n.d)

Pulmonary disease data related to Jack

In Jack's case Oxidative ...