ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND THE DENTURE PATIENT
Every year this terrible disease affects more and more people. With estimates in excess of two thousand people in the central Vancouver Island region alone. It can afflict anyone at any age, but more commonly people over sixty. This degenerative disease affects the brain leaving patients less and less able to manage things for themselves. For the patient with Alzheimer’s it is important that the care provider to be aware of the changes coming and be proactive at insuring dentures are up to date and working well. Different phases of this disease can bring on confusion, fear and distrust, making it difficult for a practitioner to provide intra oral procedures during these periods. The following is a list of helpful hints if you are providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s who wears dentures.
1. Photo’s of what this person did during their life, work, hobbies, ect. displayed in their room, can be a tremendous asset to a practitioner attending in long term care facility. I often find distrust will give way to gentle moments of dialogue if I am able to relate to a patient about something they did in their past. It seems so simple but it really does work and reminds us in the medical community that this was once a very active and vital person.
2. Yearly checkups. As communication channels begin to break down we can no longer rely on a patient to tell us when things are wrong. It is important to have the dentures and oral cavity examined yearly if not biannually to insure adequate fit and comfort.
3. Name inserts in dentures. Given this disease affects memory it is not uncommon for patients to misplace dentures and having their name imbedded inside the plate will help return it to its proper owner.
4. Routines. Dentures should be removed at night. Having a routine that is practiced daily of cleaning and placing the dentures in a proper storage box is important.
5. If dentures are lost or broken, it is important they be remade or repaired as soon as possible. The longer a patient is without their dentures the more difficult time we will have to regain acceptance about wearing them.
6. Take advantage of the good moments. Some days are just bad days. Encourage your dental provider to try again on a different day if patients initially refused treatment. If a first we do not succeed try try again. With persistence and gentle patience I’ve yet to find a patient we’ve not been able to succeed with.
Alzheimer’s disease is tragedy that robs our loved ones of their freedom and their independence. However dentures and the dignity they provide can remain a constant in a patients life with a little effort and care.