Gerontology and Nutrition
Research Writing Assignment
Total possible points: 200
Intro: Currently 30-50% of seniors over age 85 have Alzheimer’s disease. The number of new cases will double every 5 years for seniors approaching 65 years of age. (Chapt 12).
Instructions:
In a minimum 9-10 pages (includes cover, abstract and reference page), double spaced document, APA format. This research paper will discuss several aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). You are always welcome to go over 10 pages, (do what you need to do to get the below questions answered THOROUGHLY). Be sure to answer each of the following questions in your paper for full credit. The references at the end of book chapt 12 will help. You can look them up and use them for your answers. Read the original paper for the information. You will not get credit for quoting the book. You can also get statistics from www.alz.org. The
1) What are some of the current statistics and future statistics for AD in the US and the world. What will be the costs and who will pay for the costs. The book’s statistics are old, find newer ones.
2) What is the currently known pathophysiology of the disease. What body systems are affected and how are they affected. What does the disease do to the body how does it impact the patient’s life.
3) What are the differences between a patient with early onset AD and one who gets it later in life. Discuss life style, physical differences, treatment and diagnoses differences.
4) How is the disease currently diagnosed and what NEW research is being done to diagnose.
5) What are the current treatments and what NEW research is being done? Discuss some of the medications and their potential side effects.
6) What special nutrition related considerations might there be for an AD patient? Provide a one day diet including breakfast, lunch and dinner plus a snack that would be appropriate for an 80 Y/O AD patient. Make a chart and insert into the body of your paper. Include feeding technique ideas to assist the care-giver.
7) Discuss some prevention theories: exercise, diet, life-style changes.
