Nursing Implications
The preceding evidence lends itself to a number of specific nursing implications that are very likely to improve the conditions of a variety of patients affected with the miasma of symptoms that encompass dementia. The specific care for each individual patient will vary based on whether the data used to assess a particular symptom applies to that patient or not. In the case of the latter circumstance, the patient will merely forego the recommendation (which solely applies to patients suffering from that particular manifestation of dementia) in favor of one that coincides with the specific needs of that patient.
The empirical evidence of Vance and Cowen (2010) indicates that the deployment of light therapy yields positive affects for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The administration of light therapy from a light box generating between 1500 and 2500 lux will be used for one to two hours both in mornings (typically around...
Or close to the patient's bedtime). Staff is to ensure that patient's rooms are otherwise dark during the evenings, particularly after the final light therapy treatment has been utilized in order to assist in the secretion of endogenous melatonin.
The supplementation of melatonin is another nocturnal care practice which staff should engage most patients in nightly. Particularly in the case of patients with a confirmed deficiency of melatonin, an oral administration of 2.5to 10 mg will be given to patients at the conclusion of the evening's light therapy session. Evidence from Cardinali, Furio and Brusco's (2010) studies have indicated that such measures are likely to aid in the regulation of the circadian clock, which is of particular importance to those with neurodegenerative processes affecting their visual systems.
During normal waking hours, music therapy in the form of clock radios…
