The United States is facing an Alzheimer’s epidemic as the country grows older. And with age comes an increased risk of dementia, a condition that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. For those caring for loved ones diagnosed with dementia, finding ways to help them cope with the condition can be challenging. Luckily, there are treatments for dementia that can help patients and their families manage the symptoms of dementia. We’ll explain those treatments and how you might use them to make life easier for your loved one with dementia.
Psychosocial Interventions
Psychosocial interventions are non-drug treatments designed to help patients and their families. These interventions may include:
- Developing a plan to cope with the disease.
- Coping with the symptoms of dementia, such as confusion and anxiety, or adjusting to changes in personality or behavior.
- Managing difficult behaviors, such as wandering away from home, becoming aggressive or agitated (or both), asking for something repeatedly that isn’t available (such as food), and refusing medication (for example, not taking insulin for diabetes).
- Maintaining independence in daily activitiessuch as dressing themselves with minimal assistance from others, and using the bathroom on their own, even if it’s different from how they did it before getting sick.
Pharmacologic Interventions
Medication can help with symptoms of dementia and the co-existing conditions that cause them. Here are a few drugs that may be helpful for your loved one:
- Antidepressants. These can assist with depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. They’re often prescribed in conjunction with other medications for more complex symptoms, such as agitation or hallucinations/delusions.
- Anti-anxiety drugs. These are sometimes used to control behavioral outbursts caused by agitation or confusion over whether an event is real or imagined (known as psychosis). If neither antidepressants nor anti-anxiety drugs work on their own, they may be combined together in order to achieve better results.
Cognitive Training
Cognitive training is one of the best ways to improve the day-to-day life of someone who has dementia, whether they’re in a hospital or at home. It’s also helpful for family members who are taking care of someone with dementia, because it helps them better understand what’s going on inside their loved one’s head—and how they can help.
It can be done as an individual session or in a group setting, either at an office or in the home. It may be provided by a professional therapist or by another family member trained in cognitive exercises.
Caregiver Support Programs
Caregiver support programs are a great way to connect with others and share ideas. They can also provide helpful tips and resources for caregivers, including information about local services that may be available to help you care for your loved one. Support groups for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease will include discussions on topics such as:
- What is dementia?
- How do I know if my loved one has dementia?
- How can I tell if someone is experiencing changes in their thinking or memory due to an illness rather than dementia (e.g., depression)?
Assisted Living And Residential Care Homes
Assisted living and residential care homes are facilities that provide a safe and comfortable environment for people with dementia who need some assistance in completing daily tasks. To find an assisted living facility or residential care home, ask your loved one’s doctor, friends, or neighbors if they know of any good ones nearby. You can also look online or in the phone book to see if there are any in your area.
If you decide to move your loved one into either of these types of facilities, make sure that it has been evaluated by Medicare. This means that it will be able to provide skilled nursing care should the need arise when visiting hours are over, and the residents want help getting back into bed or taking medication at night.
