Judging from the wholesome view of the reported conditions, Mr. M could be ailing from Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages. The condition is well known to degenerate brain cells and thus a gradual and progressive decline in cognitive function. Some of the indicators that suffice the claim are diminishing memory, especially the ability to remember recent events and increased aggressiveness (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). Another reason to link Mr. M’s conditions to Alzheimer’s is his periodic loss of touch with his mind, prompting him to get anxious, afraid, and aggressive (Heneka et al., 2015). This partially justifies being dependent on ADL.
One of the vital diagnostic assessments I could refer to for Mr. M is self-reporting. The technique comes handy since it is effective in obtaining as much information as possible in the primary stages of the disease. Self-reporting is then followed by physical and neurological examination, which examines the reflexes, coordination of joints, muscle tone and strength, balance, among other factors. Judging from the patient’s emotional deteriorating, Dodich et al. (2016) recommend neuropsychological testing, which will provide more details about mental function and coordination. Nevertheless, I would not recommend brain imaging unless the condition advances too rapidly.
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One of the anomalies I would expect when making an assessment such a patient as Mr. M is a history of Alzheimer's in the family line, which means developing a uniquely fitting treatment plan, which could be hard to establish. As well, it can be difficult to draw a clear line of separation between the side effects of the medication Mr. M is currently prescribed from the true effects of the suspected Alzheimer's. Disappointingly, Lisinopril and Xanax are known to have serious side effects, ranging from light-headedness and dizziness to fainting. Sadly, the intensity of these side effects is known to be higher for older people (Henry, et. al., 2015). Also, considering that the patient’s medical history shows traces of hypertension and ACE inhibitors, it is possible to deduce that part of the problems documented could be arising from the current medication and not the Alzheimer’s.
Having justified the possibility of Mr. M having Alzheimer's, I anticipate a continued decline in making judgments and decisions. Besides, he might experience a declined ability to engage in social engagements vibrantly. This could result in social withdrawal and more aggressiveness. Often, over time Mr. M could begin losing trust in the people around him and caregivers and as well develop illusions, should the condition remain unattended. All these possibilities are of severe impact on the family because they signal more attention and more financial investment into proper medication. Most importantly, the family needs to help him cope by showing the ultimate support and presence.
One of the most important interventions for Mr. M must navigate around creating a safe and supportive environment. Also, establishing and strengthening routine activity and reducing on memory-intensive tasks could be of enormous help. Minimizing on sources of stimulation also enhances calmness and, in turn, a better chance for recovery. However, this does not mean he should shun social interaction. As part of the interventions, I would suggest dietary supplements of Omega-3 fatty acids, Curcumin, and Ginkgo, which are known to boost mental capacity (Heneka et al., 2015). I would also recommend gentle exercise to aid neuro-motor activity and musical therapy, as well as developing alternative habits like gardening, which remedies the temptation to stray.
The patient must be feeling physical discomfort from both illness and medication. His restless tendencies indicate that often, he cannot bear being lonely, nor in a highly stimulating environment. Secondly, the patient suffers the inability to communicate effectively. Thus it becomes a pain to have his physical, emotional, and social needs met satisfactorily. Similarly, the patient feels emotional isolation, and that explains his aggression. Not being at peace with his emotions hurt as well. Finally, the patient faces the problem of depression once he is made aware that he has Alzheimer’s, should it be tested positive because that adds on the existing emotional baggage.
References
Alzheimer's Association. (2016). 2016 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer's & Dementia , 12 (4), 459-509.
Dodich, A., Cerami, C., Crespi, C., Canessa, N., Lettieri, G., Iannaccone, S., ... & Cacioppo, J. T. (2016). Differential Impairment of Cognitive and Affective Mentalizing Abilities in Neurodegenerative Dementias: Evidence from Behavioral Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 50(4), 1011-1022.
Heneka, M. T., Carson, M. J., El Khoury, J., Landreth, G. E., Brosseron, F., Feinstein, D. L., ... & Herrup, K. (2015). Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. The Lancet Neurology , 14 (4), 388-405.
Henry, J. D., Von Hippel, W., Molenberghs, P., Lee, T., & Sachdev, P. S. (2016). Clinical Assessment of Social Cognitive Function in Neurological Disorders. Nature Reviews Neurology , 12 (1), 28.
