Chapter 15: Problem 7

How common are neurocognitive disorders among the elderly? Describe the clinical features and course of Alzheimer's disease. pp. 480-483

Short Answer

Expert verified

Neurocognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, are increasingly prevalent among the elderly. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder characterized primarily by memory loss and cognitive decline. Its course usually evolves from mild symptoms to severe impairment over several years.

Step by step solution

Understand Neurocognitive Disorders

Neurocognitive disorders are a group of illnesses that primarily affect cognitive abilities of individuals. This includes learning, memory, perception, and problem-solving skills. The prevalence can vary, but studies suggest that there is a rise of neurocognitive disorders among the elderly, with an estimated 5-8% of people over 65 years affected, rising to up to 50% of those over 85.

Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of neurocognitive disorder, especially prevalent among the elderly. It's a progressive disease that impairs memory and cognitive functions. Its precise etiology is unknown, but both genetic and environmental factors seem to contribute.

Clinical Features of Alzheimer’s Disease

The clinical features of Alzheimer's disease usually start with mild memory loss, problems with language, and mood changes. As the disease progresses, these symptoms become more severe and other symptoms like difficulty swallowing, loss of bowel or bladder control, and confusion or disorientation can occur. These symptoms often get worse over time and can severely affect an individual's ability to perform day-to-day activities.

Course of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease is typically divided into three stages: mild (early-stage), moderate (middle-stage), and severe (late-stage). The disease progresses through these stages at different rates in different individuals. The average lifespan of a person with Alzheimer's after diagnosis is between 4 to 8 years, but some people may live up to 20 years.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Psychology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

How common are neurocognitive disorders among the elderly? Describe the clinical features and course of Alzheimer's disease. pp. 480-483

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand Neurocognitive Disorders

Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease

Clinical Features of Alzheimer’s Disease

Course of Alzheimer’s Disease

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Psychology Textbooks

Issues and Debates in Psychology

Gender

Scientific Investigation

Data Handling and Analysis

Stress

Cognition

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.