Treatment
While Alzheimer’s disease is irreversible, there are medications and supportive treatments that can help with memory and behavior concerns. Patients and their loved ones can do much to cope with the illness and its effects.
Six Tips for Caregivers
- Try not to take behaviors personally.
- Remain patient and calm.
- Explore pain as a trigger.
- Don't argue or try to convince.
- Try to accept behaviors as a reality of the disease.
- Seek help to avoid fatigue (social services, agencies, family)
Adapted from Alzheimer’s Association
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four medicines for Alzheimer’s disease. They may help delay or slow symptoms of the disease. Several medications called cholinesterase inhibitors (Razadyne® (galantamine), Exelon® (rivastigmine) and Aricept® (donepezil)) are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The medication Namenda® (memantine) is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It can help delay some symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer's and allow individuals to maintain some functions a little longer than they would without the medication. A fifth medication is called Namzaric; it is a combination of donepezil and memantine.
Patients and families may also benefit from support groups and counseling. Family members can learn ways to help their relative manage the illness and they can learn coping skills to lessen the stress of caring for a relative with Alzheimer’s disease.
(See more on Alzheimer’s medications from the Alzheimer’s Association and Patient and Caregiiver Guide: Antipsychotic Medications to Treat Agitation or Psychosis in Adults with Dementia from APA.)
Tips for Coping with Memory and Behavior Challenges
The Alzheimer’s Association offers some tips for caregivers on coping with memory and behavior issues. These strategies are intended to help address needs that the person with Alzheimer's may have, promote physical and emotional comfort, and help manage behavior symptoms.
- Monitor personal comfort. Check for pain, hunger, thirst, constipation, full bladder, fatigue, infections and skin irritation. Maintain a comfortable room temperature.
- Avoid being confrontational or arguing about facts. For example, if a person expresses a wish to go visit a parent who died years ago, don't point out that the parent is dead. Instead, say, "Your mother is a wonderful person. I would like to see her too."
- Redirect the person's attention. Try to remain flexible, patient and supportive by responding to the emotion, not the behavior.
- Create a calm environment. Avoid noise, glare, insecure space and too much background distraction, including television.
- Allow adequate rest between stimulating events.
- Acknowledge requests and respond to them.
- Look for reasons behind each behavior. Consult a physician to identify any causes related to medications or illness.
These strategies are intended to help address needs that the person with Alzheimer's may have, promote physical and emotional comfort, and help manage behavior symptoms.
The Alzheimer’s Association also reminds caregivers not to take the behavior personally and to recognize that the person is not just "acting mean or ornery," but is having symptoms of the disease. Caregiving can be stressful and difficult, as well as emotionally and physically exhausting. Caregivers need to take time to care for themselves, too. Taking time to relax, exercise and talk with friends is important. Sharing experiences with others can help.