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Description
Adults with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease (EOAD), is the less common form of the neurodegenerative disease of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), where EOAD is found in adults younger than 65 years old (Alzheimer's Association, 2024). Characterized by a decline of memory, cognitive decline, loss of ability to perform daily tasks involving mobility and communication, EOAD does not have one significant cause. A combination of risk factors are genetics and lifestyle factors such as heart disease, history of stroke, and high blood pressure are associated with increasing the risk of EOAD (National Institute of Aging, 2024).
Since there is no cure for EOAD, the most effective approach is treatment is symptom management. Dietary management is an aspect of care for EOAD that can aid with cognitive function. The MIND diet, a hybrid diet of Mediterranean and the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet, can slow cognitive decline due to its nature of emphazing foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Liu et al., 2021). This diet focuses on food that is healthy for the brain, such as leafy greens, nuts, fish, berries, and whole grains while avoiding foods like red meat and processed food. While there is evidence that supports the effectiveness of slowing down Alzheimer's Disease with this diet, there is limited research on nurses' knowledge of the MIND diet when caring for patients with EOAD.
Department
Nursing
Publication Date
2024
Sponsorship/Conference/Institution
Dominican University of California
City
San Rafael, CA
Keywords
Nurses' Knowledge, Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease, MIND Diet, Alzheimer's Disease, Diet
Disciplines
Human and Clinical Nutrition | Nursing | Nutrition