Table of Contents
The first scenario is that of a 65-year-old female who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She has previously been very active and vibrant woman, living on her own since her husband of 35 years died 5 years ago.
How would you design an environment to improve this person’s situation and future development?
The design of the environment plays a critical role in contributing to the functional capabilities of a person with Alzheimer’s disease (DeCarli, 14). The environmental design can be viewed as a therapeutic resource in the care program of a person with Alzheimer, while the principals used in environmental design should be in agreement with the applied principles in offering other features of care (Campdelacreu, 23).
In order to improve the situation and future development of the 65-year-old the following factors should be considered in the design of the environment. In the first place, the home of the patient should be designed with decorations should and should include soothing colors. In later years of the disease, Alzheimer’s patients experience disorientation and the use of soothing colors offers them comfort and familiarity (Campdelacreu, 23). Besides this, the temperature around the patient should be designed to suit the sensitivity of the patient. The rooms of the patient should also be designed to allow easy navigation. The outdoor environment should be designed to be safe and easily accessible to the patient. In order to minimize distractions, a simple décor should be used. The kitchen should also be designed to allow easy access of utensils and food for the patient.
What kind of environmental factors would hinder this person’s development? In other words, what environmental issues would make their situation worse, or what would you hope not happened in this person’s world?
Among the environmental factors that would hinder development of Alzheimer’s disease are as follows:
In the first place, air pollution. Despite the fact that air pollution is associated with conditions of the lungs, research shows that cardiovascular system is also affected by air pollution (Campdelacreu, 23). Besides this, smoking is another factor that affects a patient with stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, smoking hinders the development of a patient with Alzheimer’s. On the other hand, occupational exposure to pesticides has been found to increase the risk of patients Alzheimer’s and hinders the development of a patient.
Another factor that hinders development is nutritional factor. Diet plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer disease. Proper nutrition to a patient with Alzheimer’s disease lowers cognitive risks while poor diet hinders the development of a person with Alzheimer.
Discuss how the person is affected in the three domains of development, Biosocial, Cognitive, and Psychosocial.
Research findings show that biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial domains have inverse relationships with the risks of Alzheimer’s. Biosocial domain involves physical changes to an individual like changes in the body, growth and maturation. A patient with Alzheimer’s is affected physically by being immobile and unable to coordinate. This is as a result of muscles becoming rigid and shaking.
On a psychosocial domain, the person is affected by a psychosocial stress. This is a condition associated with depression, stress, social isolation, and personality among other personal characteristics. In addition, the social role of the patient is affected since the patient lacks the physical and intellectual capabilities.
The second scenario is that of a married couple, both 32-years-old learns that their 3-year-old son is autistic. He is their only child and they were thinking about having another baby soon. They know little about the disorder and even less about treatment options.
How would you design an environment to improve this person’s situation and future development?
In order to improve the situation and future development of the child with autism, the following should be considered in the design of the environment the child stays:
In the first place, the sensory environment of the child should be well designed to favor the condition of the child with autism. Many children with autism have differences in their senses, more so hypersensitivity that includes a number of senses (Deth, 28). Thus, it is important to understand the sensory environment of the child and how it affects him. On the other hand, noisy background sounds in the child’s environment should be avoided; since, they may draw away the attention of the child. In addition, the child should be kept under happy environments since it will help shape the feelings and beliefs of the child towards other people. Stressful environments as well as people should be avoided at all costs.
Besides this, a playroom for the child should be designed in the house. Such an environment will assist the child develop focus on what is presented to the child (Deth, 28). Comfortable lighting should be considered in the playroom as well as eliminating the child to have an outdoor view.
What kind of environmental factors would hinder this person’s development? In other words, what environmental issues would make their situation worse, or what would you hope not happened in this person’s world?
Autism can be caused or worsened by a number risk factors. The risk factors can either be environmental or genetic. Environmental factors are issues that arise from social, chemical, or physical exposure of someone with autism
Among the environmental factors associated that hinder the development of a child with autism may include: In the first place, parental factors such as age and parental complications may hinder the development of a child with autism (Deth, 28). Secondly, the kind of vaccinations that are given to the child play a role in hindering the development of an individual. In addition, the kind of diet that a child is given has been associated with hindering the development of a child with autism. More so, the lack of vitamin D affects brain development thus worsening autism.
Besides this, exposure to chemicals as well as heavy metals hinders the development of the child with autism. Exposure to various pesticides and metals such as lead and mercury increases the effects of autism to a child.
Discuss how the person is affected in the three domains of development, Biosocial, Cognitive, and Psychosocial.
A child with autism is affected by delays in their physical development. The physical balance of the child is affected as a result of the effects that autism has to a child (Deth, 28). In addition, the movement of the child also becomes slow and unpredictable. Cognitive domain refers to the attainment of reasoning and problem solving capabilities. Autism affects the brain development of a child thus affecting his abilities to reason and solve problems. On a psychosocial perspective, a child with autism is affected in the manner by which he or she interacts is unable to interact and communicate with others in terms of socializing, playing and chatting among others.
- Campdelacreu, J. “Parkinson’s Disease And Alzheimer Disease: Environmental Risk Factors.” Neurología (English Edition) 29.9 (2014): 541-549. Print.
- DeCarli, Charles. “Alzheimer Disease And Associated Disorders: New Directions.” Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders 21.4 (2007): 269-270. Print.
- Deth, Richard et al. “How Environmental And Genetic Factors Combine To Cause Autism: A Redox/Methylation Hypothesis.” NeuroToxicology 29.1 (2008): 190-201. Print.