Cognitive and Neurologic Disorder

Nursing Care Perspective Among the Older Population

Prepared by:
Rafsan Johnny A. Abdul
 Learning Objectives:
After the reporting and class discussion,
the graduate students will be able to:
• Understand and define Depression, Delirium,
Dementia, Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer’s
Disease;
• Enumerate the signs and symptoms of the above
mentioned disorders; and
• Discuss the management of the above
mentioned disorders for the elders.
 Depression is the most frequent
problem that psychiatrists treat in
the elderly, and although major
depression declines with age, minor
depression increases in incidence
with age.
Other Management

Skullcap
 Management and treatment

• If the cause of delirium is identified and

corrected quickly, delirium can usually be
cured. Because delirium is a temporary
condition.
 Management and treatment
• Medicines for treating delirium symptoms
include antipsychotic drugs (to treat agitation
and hallucinations and to improve sensory
problems).
• Haloperidol (Haldol®)
• Risperidone (Risperdal®)
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa®)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel®)
is a broad category of
brain diseases that
cause a long-term and
often gradual decrease in
the ability to think and remember that is
great enough to affect a person's daily
functioning.
There is no known
cure for dementia.
 Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic
neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly
and worsens over time.

The disease process is associated with

plaques and tangles in the brain.

Initial symptoms are often mistaken

for normal ageing.
 Management and interventions
• Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s
• Pharmacological management
• Agitation: Lorazepam; Haldol
• Dementia: Cognex; Aricept
• Nutrition
• Finger foods, frequent feeding,
encourage fluids
 Nursing interventions
• SAFETY FIRST!!!
• Use memory aids like calendars
• Be patient
• Avoid agitating behaviors or excessive
noises and distractions
• AVOID chaos and conflict
 Nursing interventions
• Provide good oral care
• Prevent aspiration pneumonia
• Good skin care
• Elimination patterns and problems should
be addressed: Laxative for constipation and
fibre to promote motility.
A disorder that
affects nerve cells
in the brain and
causes tremors,
poor coordination,
and problems
walking and
moving.
 Management and interventions
• There is NO CURE for Parkinson’s Disease
• Pharmacological management
• Carbidopa-levidopa
• Surgical management
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Nutrition and lifestyle
 –Michael
J. Fox
Any question or
sharing of experiences?