Alzheimer’s Disease / Dementia

Specific treatment for Alzheimer’s disease will be determined by your doctor based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history
• Extent of the disease
• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• Your opinion or preference

At this time, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, no way of slowing down the progression of this disease, and no treatment available to reverse the deterioration of Alzheimer’s disease. New research findings give reason for hope, and several drugs are being studied in clinical trials to determine if they can slow the progress of the disease or improve memory for a period of time.

There are some medications available to assist in managing some of the most troubling symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, including the following:

• Depression
• Behavioral disturbance
• Sleeplessness

In managing the disease, physical exercise and social activity are important, as are proper nutrition, health maintenance, and a calm and well-structured environment.

What are Alzheimer’s rehabilitation programs?

The rehabilitation program for people with Alzheimer’s differs depending on the symptoms, expression, and progression of the disease, and the fact that making a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is so difficult. These variables determine the amount and type of assistance needed for the Alzheimer’s individual and family.

With Alzheimer’s rehabilitation, it is important to remember that, although any skills lost will not be regained, the caregiving team must keep in mind the following considerations:

• To manage the disease, plan a balanced program of physical exercise, social activity, proper nutrition, and health maintenance activities.
• Plan daily activities that help to provide structure, meaning, and accomplishment for the individual.
• As functions are lost, adapt activities and routines to allow the individual to participate as much as possible.
• Keep activities familiar and satisfying.
• Allow the individual to complete as many things by himself or herself as possible. The caregiver may need to initiate an activity, but allow the individual to complete it as much as he or she can.
• Provide “cues” for desired behavior (for example, label drawers, cabinets, and closets according to their contents).
• Keep the individual out of harm’s way by removing all safety risks (for example, car keys and matches).
• As a caregiver (full-time or part-time), understand your own physical and emotional limitations.