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Alzheimer's Disease

What are the Treatment Options for Alzheimer’s Disease?

John Trevey on Dec 6, 2024
What are the treatment options for Alzheimer's Disease - The Breckinridge Memory Care - Lexington, KY
Table of Contents
  1. Treatment for Alzheimer's disease?

Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease?

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are a number of treatment options available for those who are living with Alzheimer’s. Medications, therapies and other interventions can help treat the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s as well as the physical and behavioral symptoms it causes.

FDA-approved Alzheimer’s medications

The only disease-modifying drug (a medication that treats the underlying cause of a disease) available for Alzheimer’s is Aduhelm, which received accelerated approval from the FDA in 2021.

Aduhelm is currently the only FDA-approved drug proven to help slow cognitive decline in those with early-stage Alzheimer’s or who are experiencing mild cognitive decline. It falls under the drug category of monoclonal antibodies, which mimic your body’s natural antibodies to invasive disease. Aduhelm works to remove amyloid plaque in the brain, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug is administered through an IV. Its high price tag and the fact it is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid have made it available to a limited number of people.

Lecanemab is not FDA-approved yet but is expected to be in 2023. It is also a monoclonal antibody drug and showed promise in a study where it reduced cognitive decline by 27% in participants who had early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

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Medications for Alzheimer’s symptoms

Several medications address Alzheimer’s main symptoms: cognitive decline and memory loss. While these medications don’t cure these symptoms, they can help curb them, allowing those who are living with Alzheimer’s to have better memory for longer.

Galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are cholinesterase inhibitors, which is a type of drug that helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain that helps with thinking and memory.

Memantine is an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist—a drug that regulates the amount of glutamate in the brain, which in excess can lead to brain cell death. Memantine can help someone with Alzheimer’s continue to perform functions for daily living like dressing or going to the bathroom, allowing them to maintain independence for as long as possible.

Treatment options for Alzheimer's disease: Memantine

NMDAs can be taken with cholinesterase inhibitors and are often prescribed together.

Alzheimer’s medications in the trial phase

Several medications for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Alzheimer’s symptoms are in the development, research, and trial stages, such as:

1. Tau aggregation inhibitors and tau vaccines

Researchers are working on medications that would prevent tau proteins from tangling and wreaking havoc on the brain using a tau vaccine or aggregation inhibitor.

2. Leukine
Treatment options for Alzheimer's disease: Leukine Sargramostim

Also commonly known as Sargramostim, this drug is currently in the research phase. Leukine may help protect the brain from harmful proteins.

3. Saracatinib (AZD-0530)

This drug was originally developed for cancer patients, but recent studies in mice have shown its ability to restore memory. Researchers are now studying the drug in humans.

These are just a few of the drugs being tested for their effectiveness on Alzheimer’s disease. Because heart health has been strongly linked to brain health, research is also looking at medications that help with cholesterol, stroke, and high blood pressure to see if they could effectively help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers are also looking at a possible link between estrogen and the brain, as one study showed that estrogen-based hormone therapy protected thinking and memory in women who were at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Medications for behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s

In addition to drugs that assist with the health of brain cells, doctors might also prescribe drugs for behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Drugs for insomnia, depression, and anxiety are often prescribed as these are common behavioral symptoms for those who are living with Alzheimer’s.

Antipsychotic drugs may also be prescribed for those who are showing persistent agitated behavior. It is recommended to try other interventions before medication for behavioral Alzheimer’s symptoms. However, many times medications will help and work together with other interventions.

Non-medication therapies and treatments for Alzheimer’s

A number of therapies and interventions are available for those at every stage of Alzheimer’s that can help with cognitive ability, emotional regulation and overall physical health.

Cognitive exercises such as arithmetic problems, memory games, and puzzles can be conducted by a specialist to help delay cognitive decline as much as possible.

Physical activity is beneficial for those who are living with Alzheimer’s. Movement is good for the body and brain, and exercise often allows for an opportunity to socialize, which is critical for those living with this disease.

Validation therapy is an emotions-oriented therapy that focuses on listening and validating the feelings of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Since an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be so difficult as well as the progression of the disease, being able to talk honestly and openly about your experience in a safe environment can be very healing.

Life story work is a collaborative intervention that can be done with a caregiver. The caregiver asks questions about the person’s life—where they were born, memories from childhood, etc.—to create a visual map of their life story, recording memories and moments in a scrapbook or through video. This type of work can help stimulate thinking and memory and can be calming for someone who is living with a memory that seems to be so far out of reach.

Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease

While a cure for Alzheimer’s is probably not in the near future, as scientists and researchers continue to better understand the disease and what it does to the brain, the better they are able to develop medications and treatments that improve the longevity and quality of life for the millions of Americans who are living with Alzheimer’s today.

If you’re interested in more information about treatments for Alzheimer’s, talk to your doctor or visit the resources below.

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350453

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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at The Breckinridge!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

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