Alzheimer's Speech Outline

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Attention Devise - It can be hard to adapt when someone close to you is diagnosed with dementia, which is caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) . Per the National Institutes of Health (NIH) “Dementia is the loss of mental effective—thinking, remembering, and reasoning.” Estimates vary, but experts suggest that more than 5 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s.

B. Tie to the Audience - Was there someone who changed, whether gradually or all at once? Maybe, they were no longer friendly, outgoing, or they seemed confused or distant or maybe their appearance changed, it is more than likely the change was due to (AD).

C. Credentials - I currently take care of my mom, she’s 76 years old

NIH: National Institute on Aging, states that scientists don’t yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease in most people. But says that Alzheimer's disease consists of three main stages: mild (sometimes called early-stage), moderate, and severe (sometimes called late-stage).

B. Main Point Two – Secondly, We Will Discuss the Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

1. Alzheimer's affects people in different ways, each person will experience symptoms or progress through Alzheimer's stages differently.

a. As the disease progresses, we have noticed that the stages; mid and severe are not clearly defined, in fact she can experienced different stages throughout the day.

2. AD involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. People with AD may have trouble remembering recent conversations, names or events is often an early clinical symptom. An online article by Medline Plus suggest that later symptoms include impaired communication, poor judgment, disorientation, confusion, behavior changes and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.

3. The Medline Plus also suggest that studies show that early discovery may be possible, but more study is needed before methods can be relied upon to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in everyday medical practice.

C. Main Point Three – Finally, we will Talk about Diagnosis and Treatment of

CONCLUSION

A. Purpose – I want to bring awareness to the fact that Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

B. Thesis/Preview Statement – Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes a decline in brain function, it destroys healthy nerve cells. Today, we have discussed Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis of AD.

C. Slight Reminder of Credentials – In taking care of my mom, who was diagnosed with AD. I have learned first-hand that caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease can be very stressful.

D. Tie to the Audience – Have you noticed something different about an elderly person in your life; a parent or grandparent having trouble remembering recent conversations, names or events, there is a good chance, the change was due to (AD).

E. Closer – In closing, Alzheimer’s disease has proven to be a very complicated and stressful disease. There is no cure and it is often difficult to diagnose. AD cannot yet be stopped or reversed, an early diagnosis can allow a person the opportunity to live well with the disease for as long as possible.

“The person who has Alzheimer’s knows that pieces or the puzzle are missing, and they are terrified.” Instagram