Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital- Rehabilitation and Alzheimer’s Disease

By Dr. Michael Fuentes

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior.
It’s the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases.
The majority of Alzheimer’s patients are 65 years of age or older, but it doesn’t just affect older
adults. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 200,000 people in the United States
who are under the age of 65 also have early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms usually develop slowly and become more severe over time. The most common early
symptom of the disease involves difficulty in remembering newly learned information. As the
disease progresses, more severe symptoms may present that include disorientation, confusion
about information, mood changes, behavior changes, unfound suspicions about known
individuals, and even difficulty in walking, speaking, or swallowing.
While there’s currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s, treatments for symptoms are available.
At Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, our specially-trained, interdisciplinary team works
with Alzheimer’s patients and their families to help them maintain their abilities and
independence for as long as possible. This, in turn, can help to decrease caregiver stress.
Depending upon the stage of the disease, we create individualized treatment plans with patients
and family members, which can include:

• Physical Therapy – Focuses on improving balance, muscle strength and mobility; fall
  prevention 
• Speech-Language Pathology – Focuses on cognitive and communication skills;
  swallowing difficulties
• Occupational Therapy – Focuses on daily living activities such as eating, bathing,
  dressing, toileting
• Neuropsychology Counseling—Helps patients and family members adjust to emotional
  and physical changes
• Home Evaluations – Identifies necessary modifications to provide a safe home
  environment
• Family/Caregiver Education – Teaches caregivers about the disease process and how to best
  help
• Community Resources – Provides patients and caregivers with educational resources,
  including respite care

For more information on Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital’s Alzheimer’s services, call 361-
905-3700.

Board-certified in physical medicine & rehabilitation, Dr. Michael Fuentes is the Medical Director of
Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital provides specialized rehabilitative care to patients
recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions. For more
information, visit CCRH.ernesthealth.com, call 361-906-3700 or visit the hospital at 5726 Esplanade
Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital provides specialized rehabilitation services to patients recovering from or living with
injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions. The hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its

Stroke Rehabilitation program. For more information, visit CCRH.ernesthealth.com.
5726 Esplanade Dr • Corpus Christi, Texas 78414 • (P) 361.906.3700 • (F) 361.906.3797