Final answer:
The subject of the question is a patient with late-stage Alzheimer's disease. AD is a progressive condition leading to cognitive impairment and requires comprehensive care, often provided in a skilled nursing facility. Other health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis also impact the patient's well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient in the scenario is an 85-year-old with late-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. As AD advances, it leads to worsening cognitive impairment and eventual loss of the ability to perform everyday activities. This is in addition to her history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and myocardial infarction (MI).
During late adulthood, physiological changes such as reduced muscle mass, slower reflexes, and a weaker immune system can lead to increased vulnerability to illnesses, including the flu, heart disease, and cancer. Physical mobility tends to decrease due to conditions such as arthritis, characterized by joint wear and stiffness. In severe cases of AD, memory, thinking, and behavior impairments greatly impact individuals, necessitating significant care and support, typically provided in a skilled nursing facility (SNF).
AD is characterized by molecular and cellular changes in the brain, such as plaques and tangles. These changes lead to a decline in mental abilities, and although AD cannot be definitively diagnosed until after death, its presence is often inferred through symptomatic assessment and cognitive testing during life, as was the case with Rosa, who was diagnosed with mild AD based on her symptoms.