| Abstract | Uvod: Alzheimerova demencija je bolest s dva lica; stvara promjene u moždanim stanicama koje u početku ne utječu na samo funkcioniranje osobe, no ipak se tiho i progresivno nastavlja razvijati do te mjere da se ni oboljela osoba ne može prepoznati. Veću sklonost obolijevanju imaju osobe starije životne dobi, a bolest se otkriva nekoliko godina kasnije od početka promjena. Najčešći uzrok demencije je Alzheimerova bolest koja se često simptomatski pripisuje staračkoj zaboravljivosti. Staračka zaboravljivost pripada linearnom tijeku života koji osoba prolazi u starijoj životnoj dobi, dok Alzheimerova bolest to preobražava u stanje neprepoznatljivosti oduzimajući sjećanja, vlastiti identitet i sposobnost prepoznavanja bližnjih. Naravno da se na tom putu medicinske sestre/tehničari susreću s brojnim izazovima koji se učinkovitije savladaju kad postoji dobra suradnja između medicinskog tima, pacijenta i njegovih bližnjih te uz dostupne adekvatne resurse i kontinuiranu edukaciju.
Cilj istraživanja: Dobiti uvid u izazove s kojima se medicinske sestre susreću u skrbi za oboljele od Alzheimerove bolesti.
Metode: Istraživanje je provedeno u razdoblju od 8.1.2024. do 1.4.2024. godine u institucijama: Dom za starije i nemoćne osobe Čakovec, Caritasov dom Ivanec, Služba za produženo liječenje i palijativnu skrb Novi Marof te Opća bolnica Varaždin – zgrada interne te odjel neurologije. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 134 ispitanika. Putem programa Microsoft Excel podaci su statistički obrađeni te tablično i grafički prikazani.
Rezultati: Istraživanje je pokazalo da su ispitanici dobro informirani o najčešćim simptomima Alzheimerove bolesti. Poražavajući je rezultat da samo 40% ispitanika zna uzrok demencije te vrstu pamćenja koju zahvaća Alzheimerova bolest. Najčešći izazovi s kojima se medicinske sestre/tehničari susreću u skrbi za pacijenta koji boluje od Alzheimerove bolesti su komunikacija, dezorijentiranost i lutanja pacijenta, poteškoće zbog kratkoročnog pamćenja te agresija pacijenta.
Zaključak: Alzheimerova bolest postaje jedna od najskupljih bolesti današnjice jer je jedina bolest koja se ne može spriječiti i izliječiti. Rizik obolijevanja od Alzheimerove bolesti raste s godinama, pa su tako šanse da osoba doživi više od 85. godina 1:2. Ispitanici su dobro informirani u pogledu najčešćih simptoma Alzheimerove bolesti, no i dalje postoji nesigurnost u uzroku demencije. U svakom odnosu, pa tako i u skrbi za osobe oboljele od Alzheimerove bolesti, potrebna je ravnoteža, ljubav, pažnja, podrška i razumijevanje kako bi se osoba osjećala sigurno i zaštićeno. |
| Abstract (english) | Introduction: Alzheimer’s dementia is a disease with two faces; it creates changes in brain cells that initially do not affect a person's functioning, but it silently and progressively continues to develop to the extent that even the affected individual may not be recognizable. Older individuals are more prone to this illness, and it is often detected several years after the onset of changes. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which is frequently symptomatically attributed to senile forgetfulness. Senile forgetfulness is part of the linear progression of life in older age, whereas Alzheimer’s disease transforms it into a state of unrecognizability, depriving the individual of memories, personal identity, and the ability to recognize loved ones. Naturally, on this journey, nurses encounter numerous challenges that are more effectively managed with good collaboration between the medical team, the patient, and their relatives, along with available adequate resources and continuous education.
Goal: The aim of the research was to gain insight into the challenges faced by nurses in caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Methods: The research was conducted from January 8, 2024, to April 1, 2024, in the following institutions: the Čakovec Home for the Elderly and Infirm, the Caritas Ivanec Home, the Novi Marof Extended Care and Palliative Care Service, and the Varaždin General Hospital – Internal Medicine Building and Neurology Department. The study involved 134 participants. Data were statistically processed using Microsoft Excel.
Results: The research revealed that participants were well-informed about the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. A disappointing result was that only 40% of participants knew the cause of dementia and the type of memory affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The most common challenges nurses face in caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease are communication, patient disorientation and wandering, difficulties due to short-term memory, and patient aggression.
Conclusion: Alzheimer's disease is becoming one of the most costly diseases of our time because it is the only disease that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed down. The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increases with age, so the chances of someone who lives past 85 years old are 1 in 2. While participants are well-informed about the most common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, there is still uncertainty about the cause of dementia. In every relationship, including the care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, balance, love, attention, support, and understanding are needed to ensure that the person feels safe and protected. |
