Remember: Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive disease—meaning it gets worse over time. Currently, there is NO cure.

ACTIVELY EMPATHIZE

Care starts with compassion and empathy. This holds true in all human relationships but is especially important for dementia caregivers.

How would you feel and want to be treated if you suddenly found yourself disoriented in an unfamiliar place, not even sure of the year or even who you are?

Don't be too hard on yourself.

The person you care for will have good days and bad days. Try your best to foster the good days and even the good moments for the person with dementia, don’t try to force them.

Dementia is More than Memory Loss

Memory loss is a classic dementia symptom. But some types of dementia, particularly frontotemporal dementia and Pick’s disease, show up as personality changes rather than memory loss. The symptoms depend on the areas of the brain that is affected by the disease. Even when memory loss is the most obvious symptom, the person with dementia is experiencing a neurological decline that can lead to many other issues. In the latest stages of most types of dementia, patients become unable to attend to activities of daily living (such as dressing and toileting) independently. They may become non-communicative, unable to recognize loved ones and even unable to move about.

Watch Video There is More to a Person than Dementia:

Plan for the Future

The only sure thing is change when you are caring for someone with dementia. Be mindful to continually reassess the care needs and update the daily Care Plan notes of any changes.

Remember that care needs will increase over time. Help the family so they can be ready for the next stage.

WHAT DO PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA NEED?

Fundamentals of Dementia Care

  • COMFORT: Be supportive, warm, and tender

  • ATTACHMENT: Important to promote personal relationships, maybe even more than the general population

  • INCLUSION: Important to feel part of things, to feel belonging

  • OCCUPATION: Important to find activities where the person can work, play, and be involved and connected.

  • SENSE OF IDENTITY: Important to hold their memories, life histories, and their pasts, and to respond to them as an individual.

Watch Video on What it is Like to Experience Dementia:

COPING WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Coping with this diagnosis and its symptoms can be stressful, so give a newly diagnosed person time and grace to process the information and adjust to the new challenge.

Acknowledge and identify emotions, and understand that a range of feelings can be a normal reaction to this new diagnosis.

Emotions and thoughts may include:

  • Shock and Disbelief: “I can’t believe this is happening. I just want to wake up and find out that this was a bad dream. It doesn’t even seem real.”

  • Denial: “There’s no way that this is correct. The doctor didn’t even ask very many questions. I don’t think anybody could have passed that test he gave me.”

  • Anger: “I can’t believe this is happening! Why me? It’s so unfair.”

  • Grief and Depression: “I’m so sad. Is life as I know it forever changed? I don’t know how to live with this knowledge.”

  • Fear: “Will I forget my loved ones? Will they forget me? What if I can't live at home anymore? Who will help me? I’m afraid—both of not knowing and knowing the future with this disease.”

  • Relief: “I knew something was wrong. I wanted to believe it wasn’t a problem, but in a way, I’m glad to be able to name it. At least now, I know what’s happening and why it is.”

As this is a progressive disease impacting the brain, it will progress, or advance, at different stages for each person. This adds to the challenge of knowing 100% how a medication will work for each person.

MEDICATIONS

Right now there is NOT a medication available to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease. There are suggested lifestyle habits that may assist in helping to prevent the onset of the disease and the severity of the disease. However, the research in this area remains new and the studies are continuing to find a cure and confirmed ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Resistance to taking medications naturally begins to happen as the disease progresses. There are medications that will slow the progression of the disease.

Alzheimer's Disease Medications

Class 1: Cholinesterase Inhibitors Medications

  • Donepezil branded as Aricept

  • Galantamine branded as Razadyne or Reminyl

  • Rivastigmine branded as Exelon

How Cholinesterase Inhibitors Alzheimer's Drugs work:

Cholinesterase Inhibitors work by slowing down the process that breaks down a key neurotransmitter.

There is a shortage of acetylcholine in the brain and these drugs help to build it back up. The medications are shown to assist in slowing down the rate of decline of memory loss by helping to improve cognitive memory.

Side Effects

Side effects will vary for each person. Monitor any and all changes you may notice when someone is taking medication for memory loss.

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can be experienced as side effects but they usually do not last more than 6 weeks. Duration has been documented from 1 to 6 weeks.

Changes in vision and skin rashes can also be experienced.

Class 2: N-Methyl D-Aspartate (NMDA) Antagonists

  • Namenda is the only drug in this class, and it is approved for moderate to severe Alzheimer's

  • Namenda appears to work by regulating glutamate (an amino acid) levels in the brain. Normal levels of glutamate facilitate learning, but too much glutamate can cause brain cells to die

  • Namenda has been somewhat effective in delaying the progression of symptoms in later Alzheimer’s disease

Combined Drugs

In 2014, the FDA approved Namzaric, which is a combination of donepezil and memantine—one drug from each class above. It is designated for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

Drug Therapy for Behavioral, Psychological & Emotional Symptoms

Psychotropic medications are used at times to treat the behavioral, psychological, and emotional symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

The class of psychotropic medications consists of antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and medications for insomnia (sometimes called sleeping pills or hypnotics). These medications can be effective but can also cause significant side effects.

Monitor All Medications

Remember that the impact of medication may be modified if the medication is not taken at the proper time and in the proper format.

Check Medication Instructions

  • Time of day

  • Taken with or without food

  • Possible side effects

  • Drink a full glass of water, juice, or other liquid

When Seniors are Resistant to Taking a Medication

Watch Video on Refusing to Take Medication:

Remember that as seniors begin to lose their capabilities and lose loved ones, it is natural to respond by showing control over tasks that they can control. Seniors with memory loss can have days where they may decide they do not want to take a medication.

  • Explore other formats for the medication. Many times a pharmacy can offer a liquid version of the medication.

  • Take with a Favorite Food. Using applesauce or other food (with medical doctor approval) may assist the senior to be more accepting of the medication.

  • Routine for Taking Medications? Change it up! Create a fun format for taking medications, based on the senior's personality. Set a place setting and play music and customize this time to tell a joke, share a memory or play a favorite song.

💡 Tip Sheet

Alzheimer’s Medications do NOT cure the disease, only slow down the progression. Review medication instructions and maintain the medication schedule. Monitor for side effects or any changes in the senior’s behavior when a new medication has been prescribed to monitor a positive or negative impact.