Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Holistic nursing care to the patient affected by the third millennium disease and caregiver: importance of palliative care |
|---|---|
| Name | Salsi Irene |
| Supervisor(s) | Mussi Chiara |
| Academic Year | 2020/21 |
| Thesis type | Non research thesis |
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia among older adults, although it is not a consequence of physiological ageing. Being a chronic neurodegenerative disease, the parts of the brain involved in memory and language production undergo irreversible changes; cognitive, behavioral and functional skills are compromised and the person with dementia reaches a condition of absolute disability and dependence on family members and multidisciplinary team. The nurse plays a central role in providing patient support, managing disorders and preventing complications which tend to occur in the advanced stage and can be fatal; he plans educational paths, coping startegies and psychological support to the familiy in order to mitigate a condition of psychophysical "burden". The final aim of the paper is to consider Alzheimer's disease as a terminal disease and to implement targeted interventions to the clinical conditions of the person with advanced dementia and to the evolutionary trajectory of the pathology itself. The model of care that best meets these needs is the palliative one: a holistic approach which offers support to the person suffering from a chronic disease and to the caregiver, fosusing its phylosophy of care on the quality of life through interventions that reduce the symptoms and give dignity and well-being to the terminally ill patient. Although the analysis of the data shows an increased demand to expand palliative care also to patients suffering from a non-oncological disease, such as dementia, resistance by professionals prevent their correct success. However, adequate training and information for nurses and all health care professionals can be a potential starting point for recognizing palliative care as an integral part of clinical practice to support the patient and his family.