 | Roselyn Schmidt, R.N.,
partnering with husband Don and son Kent, designed, own, manage and operate Chaucer Estates, Retirement and Assisted Living. Since 1967, the Schmidt's have owned five nursing homes, managing and operating the facilities as a family. In 1986, they built Andover Health Care, and in 1995 became part owners of Park West in West Wichita, until the 1998 flood, leading them to create Chaucer Estates. Most recently, the Schmidt family has opened their newest retirement and assisted living facility in Overland Park, KS, "Rose Estates". Since 1955, Rose has enjoyed a vast nursing career, raised six children, and presently serves as Admissions, and oversees marketing at Chaucer Estates. You can reach Rose at (316) 630-8111, or visit Chaucer Estates at 10550 E. 21st North, in East Wichita. |
Senior Living
2006-02-01 14:37:00
Alzheimer's-how does it start?
What happens when someone gets Alzheimer's
disease?
ANSWER: The disease sets in so gradually that changes are nearly imperceptible, typically several years pass before a person is brought in for evaluation. The rate of progression from milder to more severe states is gradual and differs from individual to individual. People who have a relatively early disease onset (say in their 50s) often deteriorate more rapidly than those later in life. Alzheimer's disease is characterized overall by progressive memory loss and the decline of other mental functions such as attention, language and reasoning ability. The only reliable way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease is to examine brain tissue under a microscope and this can only be done upon autopsy.Misdiagnosis or 'over diagnosis' of dementia is also common because of misinterpretation of mild brain scan findings and inaccurate diagnosis. With careful diagnosis and use of modern techniques and assessments, the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be made in the doctor's office with nearly as much certainty as it can be made on autopsy findings. A careful medical history is the most critical part of the initial evaluation. The physician will generally perform a thorough physical and neurological exam. The patients should be given a chest X-ray to rule out lung diseases and electrocardiogram to rule out the presence of ischemic heart disease, and laboratory urine and blood tests. An EEG, (electroencephalogram) measures the electrical activity of the brain. Mental status testing is used to help the physician determine the extent of cognition and behavioral impairment. A Brain scan (neuroimaging) provides images of the brain structure like ET scans; MRI and PET scans. These should be routine steps in the diagnostic work-up of someone with symptoms of dementia. Eventually, however, complete care may involve the advice and expertise of a variety of professionals, including lawyers, accountants, social workers, nurses, counselors, physical therapists and clergy.
