Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Date of Graduation
5-9-2021
Publish
yes
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Department of Health Sciences
Second Advisor
Erika Metzler Sawin
Third Advisor
Laura Blosser
Abstract
The term ‘silent epidemic’ has become fitting for Alzheimer’s disease, as it is now the sixth leading cause of death in the US. Caring for AD patients at home in the US costs billions of dollars each year. The current comprehensive literature review discusses the background/history of AD, pathology and modes of transmission of AD, behavioral and natural risk factors, prevention and treatment options, and how the aforementioned factors contribute to caregiver burnout and subsequently affect the AD patient. The extensive examination of the literature determined several gaps to be addressed. More specifically, burnout among AD caregivers has become an epidemic of its own, and caregivers are experiencing increasing fatigue, stress, and financial burden. There have been several means identified to assess caregiver burnout, as well as associated interventions that have shown effectiveness among patients and their families. Nevertheless, further longitudinal research is warranted on the implementation of more effective interventions specifically for caregivers, including stress management and social support mechanisms.
Included in
Diagnosis Commons, Investigative Techniques Commons, Neurosciences Commons, Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons, Preventive Medicine Commons
