Introduction
The Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that is closely related to the lifestyle of an individual. Persons who are prone to obesity, heart failure, high blood pressure, and diabetes type 2 are susceptible to the malady. This situation exposes them to stress, depression, and withdrawal among other behaviors. As a result, the probability of succumbing to the illness increases significantly. This research proposal seeks to establish the relationship between lifestyle factors and progression of the Alzheimer’s disease.
Statement of the Problem
Many people overlook lifestyle issues that threaten their health (Scarmeas, Levy, Tang, Manly, & Stern, 2001). Poor drug schedules hinder them from coping with conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, and/or obesity. Such patients are usually distressed, a situation that increases their susceptibility to the Alzheimer’s disease. Cameron, Franche, Cheung, and Stewart (2002) posit that the above conditions are based on metabolic problems that result in cognitive imbalance. According to Allen, Frier, and Strachan (2004), daily activities such as physical exercises and learning reduce the possibility of acquiring the Alzheimer’s disease.
Purpose of the Research
The proposed research seeks to elaborate on the relationship between lifestyle issues and progression of the Alzheimer’s disease.
Research Question
- Do public sensitization to lifestyle change and education reduce the chances of developing the Alzheimer’s disease?
Sampling
The sampling procedure will involve the quasi-experimental sampling. The sample size will entail 250 respondents. A quasi-experimental sample of the study population will be obtained by administering about 250 questionnaires to a controlled group of patients. The selected sample size is appropriate for the study since the expected results will be used to generalize the findings.
Limitation in Generalizability
The study will only focus on the public awareness of lifestyle issues that a potential causes of the Alzheimer’s disease. It will be limited to qualitative research design and analysis. The results will only emphasize on the level of awareness; hence, the findings will exclusively generalize the available information.
Research Design
The study will adopt a qualitative research design. This design flows from the proposed research problem, theoretical framework, and the literature review.
Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis
The research framework will be accomplished by analyzing the awareness of lifestyle issues and progression of the Alzheimer’s disease.
H0: Public awareness of lifestyle issues such as lack of exercise and poor diet among others does reduce the progression of the Alzheimer’s disease.
H1: Public awareness of lifestyle issues such as lack of exercise and poor diet among others reduces the progression of the Alzheimer’s disease.
Methodology
Sample Setting and Sampling Strategy
The sample size will comprise 200 people that will be selected from the public. 3 out of every 10 patients will be obese, 3 diabetic, 2 smokers, and 2 will have the Alzheimer’s disease. It will also involve 17 health workers, 3 doctors, and 20 caretakers. The respondents will be selected using the quasi-sampling method. Questionnaires will be issued to the public randomly. They will then be collected as soon as the respondents finish responding to the questions (Sugiyono, 2008).
Research Design and Sampling Plan
A qualitative research design will be adopted in the study. It will emphasize on the unawareness of information about the Alzheimer’s condition and its relationship with lifestyle trends and education. Therefore, the research will only focus on the qualitative research design (Sugiyono, 2008). It will be conducted in Los Angeles town in the USA. The data will be obtained from the questionnaires that will be administered to various patients of the Alzheimer’s disease, caretakers, health workers, public, smokers, obese, and diabetic people.
Rationale of the Selection
Los Angeles town was selected as the study location. Majority of the population in the region is fond of luxurious lifestyles. The chosen sampling method is also appropriate for the study since it focuses on qualitative design techniques.
Reference List
Allen, K. V., Frier, B. M., & Strachan, M. W. (2004). The relationship between type 2 diabetes and cognitive dysfunction: longitudinal studies and their methodological limitations. European journal of pharmacology, 490(1), 169-75.
Cameron, J., Franche, R., Cheung, A., & Stewart, D. (2002). Lifestyle interference and emotional distress in family caregivers of advanced cancer patients. Cancer, 94(2), 521-7.
Scarmeas, N., Levy, G., Tang, M., Manly, J., & Stern, Y. (2001). Influence of leisure activity on the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurology, 57(12), 2236-42.
Sugiyono, J. (2008). Statistical for Research. Bandung, Indonesia: Alfabeta Press.