Unseen Battles: The Hidden Care Needs of Early-Onset Alzheimer's Patients

Early-onset Alzheimer's disease is a harsh reality that many people face before they even reach old age. It's a fast-moving condition that can make life really tough. The good news is that early palliative care can help figure out what patients need and support families in making important decisions for the future. A recent study took a closer look at the care needs of these patients. They focused on understanding the level of suffering and the most common symptoms. The study was part of a bigger, 18-month project involving patients with a specific type of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The participants were from Medellín, Colombia, and data was collected using various assessment tools. In the first phase of the study, 36 patients took part. Most were women and lived in cities. The study found that about 22% of these patients had significant palliative care needs. The data showed that problems like swallowing difficulties, pressure sores, fatigue, insomnia, and functional decline were linked to a higher need for palliative care. The study also looked at how often patients used healthcare resources and their levels of pain and cognitive decline. The findings highlight that early-onset Alzheimer's patients have serious care needs. These needs are tied to their symptoms, how the disease progresses, and the resources they use. It's important to recognize these needs early on to provide better support and care.