HCS_245 Mental Behavioral Case Studies Wk3 Krisitn Schoenmakers.docx

Mental/Behavioral Case Studies
Kristin Schoenmakers
HCS/245
July 30, 2018
Briana Knight

Mental/behavioral health case studies at the end of Ch. 15:
Mr. Speed is a 57-year-old gentleman
who has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He is in the early stage of the disease at this
point. Mrs. Speed is quite concerned about the progression of the disease, whether Mr. Speed can still be
employed, if he can be left alone for several hours at a time, and what medications he will be required to
take. How would you respond to her concerns? Is there other information that would be helpful to the
Speeds? Where can they find more information about Alzheimer's disease ?
Mental/Behavioral Case Studies
Mr. Speed is a 57-year-old client of mine, who has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
disease. His present symptoms place him at the early stage called mild Alzheimer’s disease. He lives with
his wife and is employed full time. Mrs. Speed has some genuine concerns about her husband new
diagnosis, along with the disease itself. Mrs. Speed wants to know whether her husband could continue to
work or whether he could be left alone for a long period of time. I wanted her to know that I will be here for
her every step of the way, so she felt that she was not alone. I then explained to her that her husband was
in the early stages of Alzheimer’s called mild Alzheimer’s disease. This means a person can function
independently, therefore her husband could continue to work, drive, and be a part of social activities.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, which is a degenerative brain disease that
over time destroys ones thinking skills and memory. Experts believe Alzheimer's disease prevents parts of