which disease and dying trajectory best represents the course for a person with alzheimer’s disease

by Stone Weimann 5 min read

What is a disease and dying trajectory?

This Disease and dying trajectory represents the course for a person with an illness that causes a prolonged decline ending in death. This is the pattern for frail older adults often demonstrate, especially those with illnesses such as Alzheimer's. This type of care can be offered at any time in the disease trajectory.

What is the role of a nurse in disease/death trajectory?

Your role as a nurse is to advocate for patient access to this team and to work with the team to develop a plan of care consistent with patient's wishes. This type of disease/death trajectory involves unexpected and rapid death: MIs, accidents, violence.

What is the typical trajectory of a patient with progressive illness?

Three typical illness trajectories have been described for patients with progressive chronic illness: cancer, organ failure, and the frail elderly or dementia trajectory. Physical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients and their carers are likely to vary according to the trajectory they are following.

Which support the patient and family through the dying process?

Hospice supports the patient and family through the dying process. Which of the following is an important way nurses can improve palliative care access for those who should receive it? Mr. X has end-stage liver cancer and multiple organ failure.

Who first described the concept of death trajectories?

What are some examples of chronic lung disease?

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Which death trajectory is considered the most predictable?

In fact, the dying trajectory of cancer is one of the most predictable trajectories. Most patients with metastatic cancer remain quite functional until approximately five to six months before their deaths.

What are the three types of illness trajectories?

MethodsDifferent trajectories for different diseases. ... Trajectory 1: short period of evident decline, typically cancer. ... Trajectory 2: long term limitations with intermittent serious episodes. ... Trajectory 3: prolonged dwindling.

What does disease trajectory mean?

The terms illness trajectories and disease trajectories have been used to describe the course or progression of chronic disease as experienced over time (Hyman & Corbin, 2001).

What is a chronic illness trajectory?

11. Strauss et al5 described a Chronic Illness Trajectory Framework where the pattern of illness is characterised by a cycle of 'decline-reprieve-decline-reprieve-decline to death', which renders expectations uncertain and arrangements and plans unpredictable.

What is a death trajectory or pattern of dying?

Death trajectory refers to the pattern of dying when a patient is given a projected death date with limited or no medical recourse for the remaining existence of the individual's life.

What is dementia trajectory?

Despite the variations in the type and severity of symptoms and their respective patterns of development, most dementia's are typically a gradual onset, progressive in nature and are irreversible.

What is the trajectory of Alzheimer's disease?

As the disease progresses and the individual's care needs rise, the cost of his or her care also increases. The range of severity of Alzheimer's disease after the onset of symptoms is characterized by three stages: mild or early stage, moderate or middle stage, and severe or late stage.

What is illness trajectory in palliative care?

An illness with a terminal trajectory is one that unequivocally should be accompanied by advance care planning and palliative care, ideally starting at diagnosis. Disease progression, while delayed almost to a standstill in some cases by effective treatments, will eventually result in the person's death.

Which are phases of the chronic illness trajectory?

Phases in the Chronic Illness TrajectoryPhaseDefinitionPretrajectoryBefore symptom presentationTrajectory onsetInitial symptom presentation and diagnosisStableSymptoms are under control and life activities continue within the limitations of the symptoms6 more rows•Jul 15, 2021

What is the trajectory phase?

Trajectory onset phase- occurs with the first onset of signs and symptoms and includes the diagnostic period. The acute phase- follows the crisis phase and refers to the period when the patient's symptoms can be controlled by a prescribed regimen. Stable phase - this phase starts once symptoms are controlled.

THE FIVE TRAJECTORIES - CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care

What Is a Trajectory of Dying? “Trajectories of dying” were first articulated by researchers at the Institute of Medicine in the late 1990s as a conceptual framework for understanding

Illness trajectories and palliative care - PMC

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What are the three trajectories of chronic illness?

Three typical illness trajectories have been described for patients with progressive chronic illness: cancer, organ failure, and the frail elderly or dementia trajectory . Physical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients and their carers are likely to vary according to the trajectory they are following.

What is the trajectory of cancer?

Trajectory 1: short period of evident decline, typically cancer. This entails a reasonably predictable decline in physical health over a period of weeks, months, or, in some cases, years. This course may be punctuated by the positive or negative effects of palliative oncological treatment.

What is the primary goal of palliative care?

Optimising quality of life before a timely, dignified, and peaceful death are the primary aims of palliative care. Understanding and considering trajectories may help professionals take on board, at an earlier stage than would otherwise be the case, that progressive deterioration and death are inevitable.

Can strokes mimic trajectory?

Some illnesses might follow none, any, or all of the trajectories: a severe stroke could, for example, result in sudden death or a fairly acute decline as in trajectory 1; a series of smaller strokes and recovery could mimic trajectory 2; while a gradual decline with progressive disability could parallel trajectory 3.

How many stages of Alzheimer's disease are there?

The most common system, developed by Dr. Barry Reisberg of New York University, breaks the progression of Alzheimer’s disease into seven stages. This framework for understanding the progression of the disease has been adopted and used by a number of healthcare providers as well as the Alzheimer’s Association.

What happens to people with stage 3 Alzheimer's?

People with stage three Alzheimer’s may also frequently lose personal possessions, including valuables. Stage 4: Moderate Decline. In stage four of Alzheimer’s, clear-cut symptoms of the disease are apparent. People with stage four of Alzheimer’s: Have difficulty with simple arithmetic.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's?

People with the sixth stage of Alzheimer’s need constant supervision and frequently require professional care. Symptoms include: 1 Confusion or unawareness of environment and surroundings 2 Inability to recognize faces except for the closest friends and relatives 3 Inability to remember most details of personal history 4 Loss of bladder and bowel control 5 Major personality changes and potential behavior problems 6 The need for assistance with activities of daily living such as toileting and bathing 7 Wandering

Why do people die at stage 7?

Because the disease is a terminal illness, people in stage seven are nearing death. In stage seven of the disease, people lose the ability to communicate or respond to their environment.

Can a senior lose things?

The senior may notice minor memory problems or lose things around the house, although not to the point where the memory loss can easily be distinguished from normal age-related memory loss. The person will still do well on memory tests and the disease is unlikely to be detected by loved ones or physicians.

How long does it take to live with Alzheimer's?

The rate of progression for Alzheimer's disease varies widely. On average, people with Alzheimer's disease live between three and 11 years after diagnosis, but some survive 20 years or more. The degree of impairment at diagnosis can affect life expectancy.

How many stages of Alzheimer's disease are there?

Memory, thinking, judgment, language, problem-solving, personality and movement can all be affected by the disease. There are five stages associated with Alzheimer's disease: preclinical Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease, mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease ...

What is the late stage of dementia?

In the late stage of the disease, called severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, mental function continues to decline, and the disease has a growing impact on movement and physical capabilities. In late stage severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, people generally: Lose the ability to communicate coherently.

What is mild dementia?

Mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is often diagnosed in the mild dementia stage, when it becomes clear to family and doctors that a person is having significant trouble with memory and thinking that impacts daily functioning. In the mild dementia stage, people may experience:

Why is it important to identify early deposits in Alzheimer's disease?

The ability to identify these early deposits may be especially important for clinical trials and in the future as new treatments are developed for Alzheimer's disease. Additional biomarkers — measures that can indicate an increased risk of disease — have been identified for Alzheimer's disease. These biomarkers can be used to support ...

What is mild cognitive impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease. People with mild cognitive impairment have mild changes in their memory and thinking ability. These changes aren't significant enough to affect work or relationships yet.

Why do people die from pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a common cause of death because impaired swallowing allows food or beverages to enter the lungs, where an infection can begin. Other common causes of death include dehydration, malnutrition, falls and other infections. Stages of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp.

Who first described the concept of death trajectories?

Glaser and Strauss first described the concept of death trajectories in their pioneering qualitative research in the 1960’s. They noted that the temporal pattern of the disease process leading to a patient’s death had profound impacts on the experience for patients, families and clinicians. Figures 1-3 visualize three simplified examples of common trajectories towards death. Recognizing such disease trajectories assists physicians in using prognostication to care for seriously ill patients.

What are some examples of chronic lung disease?

Chronic lung disease, congestive heart failure and end stage liver disease are examples of this pattern. It is difficult to predict which crisis will end in the patient’s death. After surviving several crises it is often difficult for the patient and family to believe they won’t survive the next one.