Treatment

 

Although there is no cure for AD, there are a number of treatments that can either slow the progress of the disease, or make the patient more comfortable. These are both medication and palliative care treatments to control the symptoms.

 

Medical treatment must be prescribed by a physician as the stage of the disease and side effects (which could be serve) will influence the prescription. Some of the drugs prescribed for the general condition are

• Donepezil,

• Rivastigmine,

• Galantamine (Cholinesterase inhibitors which delay the degradation of the brain),

• Memantine ( which regulates the activity of glutammate).

Vitamin E has also been used to as an antioxidant to slow degradation.

 

For emotional and psychological conditions, the following medications have been recommended for the following symptoms - low mood and irritability (antidepressant):

• citalopram,

• fluoxetine,

• paroxeine,

• sertraline,

• trazodone.

For anxiety, restlessness, verbally disruptive behavior and resistance (anxiolytics);

• lorazepam,

• oxazepam.

And for hallucinations, delusions, aggression, agitation, hostility and uncooperativeness (antipsychotic):

• aripiprazole,

• clozapine,

• haloperidol,

• olanzapine,

• quetiapine,

• risperidone,

• ziprasidone.

 

Medical treatment should be prescribed by physicians or psychiatrists, and should be monitored carefully due to the high risks of side effects (of the drugs and combination of drugs). The AD patient would also need close supervision in administering daily dosage of the prescribed drug by care givers due to their forgetfulness.

 

Due to the psychological condition of the patient, much can be done to 'treat' the environment of the patient. The first is to ensure the care giver fully understands the disease and its symptoms. Care can then be given to alleviate the various conditions and symptoms of the patient such as memory loss;

 

• Keeping schedules of daily activities
  • Calendar
  • Meal times
  • Medicines to be taken (in pill boxes)
  • TV programming schedules
  • Exercises

• Reminders of normal activities - locking doors, flushing toilets
• Restrict personal items to a few locations so they are easy to find
• Photos and names on people that they interact with or are close family members and friends
• Name and address of the individual on a chain so that if they were to venture out, they will be able to be identified and brought home

 

This would reduce anxiety and frustration, and raise the level of confidence of the patient in carrying out their daily activities. The needs and personal comfort of the patient should also and addressed. This include ensuring physical needs - environment, food, drink and sleep, and emotional needs - reduce stress in the environment, avoid confrontations, avoid disagreements or negative responses.