Alzheimer’s Management
Everyday care for individuals with Alzheimer’s
At the current level of medical science and understanding, Alzheimer’s disease is incurable. While understanding of Alzheimer’s has increased exponentially over the last two decades, managing and treating the disease is still largely an effort in controlling symptoms and ensuring an individual’s comfort and dignity. The following items are currently the widely accepted methods for managing the disease:
Alzheimer’s Medications
Depending upon how advanced a person’s case is, there are several medications may be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms. The most common of these drugs work on the brain’s chemistry, helping to slow the breakdown of certain beneficial brain chemicals, while another helps function of the neurotransmitters. While they may, for a time, improve an individual’s cognition and functional abilities, no drug will permanently stop the progression of Alzheimer’s.
In addition to these, other psychoactive medications such as the antidepressants have proven helpful in treating the behavioral symptoms, such as agitation, that can occur in Alzheimer’s patients.
Activities
Remaining active and mentally stimulated plays a large role in helping manage Alzheimer’s disease. Inactivity can lead to accelerated deterioration in condition, so activities such as games, puzzles (word games, crosswords, Sudoku, etc.), physical exercise, arts & crafts, hobbies and pet therapy may allow individuals with Alzheimer’s to maintain levels of independence longer. Aside from the physical and cognitive benefits these provide, activities have shown to be effective in improving mood and behavior.
Caregiving
The level of care required by an Alzheimer’s patient goes through many stages as the disease progresses. Matching the level of caregiving required with the patient’s stage is vital to managing Alzheimer’s. Click here to see our page on the levels of dementia caregiving.
The Nexus at Silverado program combines the latest findings and discoveries into a program designed to provide benefits to individuals in the early stages of dementia. Academic research has validated that participants in Nexus at Silverado showed a statistically significant 60% improvement in cognition when compared to those without such treatment.
