The latest Alzheimer’s data is worrying. The condition has become the 6th leading cause of death, overtaking both breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. And even though deaths from several chronic conditions, including cardiovascular illnesses, are decreasing, those from Alzheimer’s have grown more than 100%. The toll the condition takes on family caregivers is similarly astonishing, with well over 16 million Americans providing over 18 billion hours of care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
Although we have yet to realize relief from Alzheimer’s disease, there are a couple of distinct types of treatment options which can help alleviate a number of the more prevalent symptoms. If your parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, here are a few options your doctor may recommend:
- Cholinesterase inhibitors: By hindering the breakdown of acetylcholine, a compound essential for memory, attention, learning and muscle activity, these prescription medications can offer some assistance with the mild to moderate phases of Alzheimer’s for some patients. Dr. Zaldy Tan, medical director for the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program, warns, however, to bear in mind that outcomes will be moderate at best. “The best case scenario is that the patient’s memory and cognitive function may improve slightly to what it was six months to a year ago – it’s not going to turn back time,” he states. Included in this class of medications are galantamine (Razadyne), donepezil (Aricept) and rivastigmine (Exelon).
- Memantine: Within the moderate to severe phases of the disease, a doctor may recommend memantine (Namenda) that takes a different approach than cholinesterase inhibitors, avoiding the overstimulation of glutamate NMDA receptors which in turn might help restore limited memory function. Doctors often add memantine to a patient’s treatment plan in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor as the disease progresses.
Identifying the effectiveness of these medications calls for persistence, as both take 4 – 6 weeks before results may be realized. And, it’s necessary to look at the benefits versus any negative side effects that might include confusion and constipation for memantine, and nausea, vomiting and a low heart rate with cholinesterase inhibitors.
One of the most effective strategies to assist those with Alzheimer’s disease live life to the fullest is by engaging the services of a specially trained caregiver who understands and will help manage the assorted challenges of dementia. Call Independence-4-Seniors Home Care’s Hinsdale senior care expertsfor more information about our highly trained, compassionate Alzheimer’s care services for older adults.