Researchable Population
The fact is, approximately 5% of Alzheimer’s cases develop after the age of 65 (Nelson et al., 2012). Mental alertness is one of the most important aspects of aging, and the majority of geriatric patients tend to have memory issues (especially those who are 80 and up). Within the framework of the current research, the most appropriate researchable population would be a sample consisting of both men and women aging from 25 and up.
Therefore, the researcher is interested in this population due to the fact that the likelihood of Alzheimer’s increases with age and the nurses should have relevant experience concerning the treatment of this particular disease (Pedroso et al., 2012). On the other hand, the researcher realizes that there are numerous external factors that may influence the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s. This is why the research sample should theoretically consist of three layers – younger nurses, middle-aged nurses, and mature nurses. Nonetheless, the researcher takes into consideration the fact that women are more predisposed to the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (Saragat et al., 2012).
This may cause research bias due to the fact that male or female patients may tend to build better relationships with the nurses of their gender and not vice versa. The investigator does not consider race to be one of the critical factors that affect the current research but believes that there is a significant dependency between the race and the occurrence of Alzheimer’s (Stern, 2012). Due to the fact that the number of Hispanic and African-American individuals increases annually, the sample should definitely include representatives of these two races in addition to other existing races. Concurrently, the researcher expects that this particular segment of geriatric nurses will help to identify if the nurse’s race impacts the process of treatment and the development of interpersonal relationships.
Possible Challenges and the Ways to Address Them
One of the biggest challenges is to understand the values of the interviewed nurses and their attitude toward the treatment approaches (Clegg, Young, Iliffe, Rikkert, & Rockwood, 2013). Therefore, the researcher is in charge of composing all-inclusive surveys and creating a stress-free atmosphere during the interview. By eliciting correct and appropriate attitudes, the researcher will address the problem of contributing to the existing knowledge on the topic of Alzheimer’s and the ways of its efficient treatment (Lopez et al., 2013).
Another challenge is the willingness of the sample to share personal and other sensitive information concerning their nursing approaches to the treatment of geriatric patients. The researcher can address this challenge by acknowledging the personal value of each nurse and respecting their rights and freedoms. Another way to address this issue is to authorize the feasibility of these interviews. One of the biggest challenges inherent in this research project is the participants’ dignity (Saragat et al., 2012).
The researcher should realize the ethical implications of the study and guarantee that the sample will help the research and not hold it back. The researcher should address this issue by adapting to the diversity of the sample and building a positive connection with the study participants. Due to the personal nature of the research and the data that will be obtained, the researcher should be careful when dealing with research bias. The ultimate success of the interviews will depend on the communication skills of the researcher (Stern, 2012). The problem of Alzheimer’s treatment requires the researcher to apply the best available practices in order to manage the sample in the best way possible and obtain accurate and reliable data.
References
Clegg, A., Young, J., Iliffe, S., Rikkert, M. O., & Rockwood, K. (2013). Frailty in elderly people. The Lancet, 381(9868), 752-762.
Lopez, O. L., Becker, J. T., Chang, Y., Sweet, R. A., Aizenstein, H., Snitz, B.,… Klunk, W. E. (2013). The long-term effects of conventional and atypical antipsychotics in patients with probable Alzheimer’s disease. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(9), 1051-1058.
Nelson, P., Alafuzoff, I., Bigio, E., Bouras, C., Braak, H., Cairns, N.,… Del Tredici, K. (2012). Correlation of Alzheimer disease neuropathologic changes with cognitive status: A review of the literature. Journal of Neuropathology, 71(5), 362-381.
Pedroso, R. V., Coelho, F. G., Santos-Galduróz, R. F., Costa, J. L., Gobbi, S., & Stella, F. (2012). Balance, executive functions and falls in elderly with Alzheimer’s disease (AD): A longitudinal study. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 54(2), 348-351.
Saragat, B., Buffa, R., Mereu, E., Succa, V., Cabras, S., Mereu, R.,… Marini, E. (2012). Nutritional and psycho-functional status in elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 16(3), 231-236.
Stern, Y. (2012). Cognitive reserve and Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 20(2), 1006-1012.