Journal Review: Alzheimer's Disease
I reviewed the article “Oral Health Behaviour and Socio-Demographic Profile of Subjects with Alzheimer’s Disease as Reported by their Family Caregivers” by Fernando Neves Hugo, Juliana Balbinot Hilgert, Daniel Bertuzzi, Dalva Maria Pereira Padilha and Renato José De Marchi. It is about a study that was conducted to evaluate the oral health care provided to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The individuals themselves do not perform their own oral healthcare; therefore the information was made available by the individual’s family caregivers.
In this study, 56 family caregivers were interviewed. Of the 56 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease, 53.6% were women, the average age was 76.09 years old, and 58.9% of the subjects were reported to be in the severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The study also noted that 50% of the subjects with AD wore some type of dental prosthesis, which the caregivers were also responsible for. According to Hugo, F., Hilgert, J., Bertuzzi, D., Padilha, D., & Marchi, R. “Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and is estimated to affect 10-15% of those over 65 years of age and 20% of those over 80.”(Hugo, F., Hilgert, J., Bertuzzi, D., Padilha, D., & Marchi, R., 2007).
The nature of Alzheimer’s disease impairs the memory and capacity to perform daily routines, often resulting in poor oral hygiene. In the study performed, 65.5% of subjects were non-complaint with oral hygiene whereas 3.6% believed it was not important. Others were either aggressive or reported oral pain.
Due to the fact that 49.1% of caregivers did not receive any training on how to care for the oral hygiene of another individual, patients were not getting adequate care. Only 17.9% are seen in a dental office and 69.6% do not receive any form of professional oral health care. 92.7% recorded not using floss and 60% were supplied a non-fluoridated mouthwash.
When asked, 40% of the caregivers had questions regarding oral health care and even though there is not any evidence to support it, the authors believe that offering programs aimed at caregivers who provide services to those with dementia would have valuable effects. The size of individuals who participated in the study was a small amount but the evidence was significant enough to tell us that caregivers play an important role in a patient’s oral health care.
References:
Hugo, F., Hilgert, J., Bertuzzi, D., Padilha, D., & Marchi, R. (2007). Oral health behaviour and socio-demographic profile of subjects with Alzheimer's disease as reported by their family caregivers. Gerodontology, 24(1), 36-40. doi:10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007.00149.x
Personal Reflection:
I chose to review an article about Alzheimer’s disease because like many individuals, it has impacted my family. Also, after learning more about the disease I can see how it could be challenging to treat a patient with AD. The patient could possibly forget, fear or even be aggressive towards the dental hygienist. Also the caregivers play and major role in the patient’s oral healthcare and should be fully informed on how to care for the patient at home. The caregiver should be addressed during the appointment and they should be given the opportunity to ask any questions. If the caregiver is not providing adequate oral healthcare, they could benefit from the tell-show-do technique and demonstrate any skills they are doubtful about.
Additional Resources:
For more information visit the Alzheimer's Association
Find a support group
*Pictures from Google Images
In this study, 56 family caregivers were interviewed. Of the 56 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease, 53.6% were women, the average age was 76.09 years old, and 58.9% of the subjects were reported to be in the severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The study also noted that 50% of the subjects with AD wore some type of dental prosthesis, which the caregivers were also responsible for. According to Hugo, F., Hilgert, J., Bertuzzi, D., Padilha, D., & Marchi, R. “Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and is estimated to affect 10-15% of those over 65 years of age and 20% of those over 80.”(Hugo, F., Hilgert, J., Bertuzzi, D., Padilha, D., & Marchi, R., 2007).
The nature of Alzheimer’s disease impairs the memory and capacity to perform daily routines, often resulting in poor oral hygiene. In the study performed, 65.5% of subjects were non-complaint with oral hygiene whereas 3.6% believed it was not important. Others were either aggressive or reported oral pain.
Due to the fact that 49.1% of caregivers did not receive any training on how to care for the oral hygiene of another individual, patients were not getting adequate care. Only 17.9% are seen in a dental office and 69.6% do not receive any form of professional oral health care. 92.7% recorded not using floss and 60% were supplied a non-fluoridated mouthwash.
When asked, 40% of the caregivers had questions regarding oral health care and even though there is not any evidence to support it, the authors believe that offering programs aimed at caregivers who provide services to those with dementia would have valuable effects. The size of individuals who participated in the study was a small amount but the evidence was significant enough to tell us that caregivers play an important role in a patient’s oral health care.
References:
Hugo, F., Hilgert, J., Bertuzzi, D., Padilha, D., & Marchi, R. (2007). Oral health behaviour and socio-demographic profile of subjects with Alzheimer's disease as reported by their family caregivers. Gerodontology, 24(1), 36-40. doi:10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007.00149.x
Personal Reflection:
I chose to review an article about Alzheimer’s disease because like many individuals, it has impacted my family. Also, after learning more about the disease I can see how it could be challenging to treat a patient with AD. The patient could possibly forget, fear or even be aggressive towards the dental hygienist. Also the caregivers play and major role in the patient’s oral healthcare and should be fully informed on how to care for the patient at home. The caregiver should be addressed during the appointment and they should be given the opportunity to ask any questions. If the caregiver is not providing adequate oral healthcare, they could benefit from the tell-show-do technique and demonstrate any skills they are doubtful about.
Additional Resources:
For more information visit the Alzheimer's Association
Find a support group
*Pictures from Google Images