TREATMENT + CAREGIVING
https://www.health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/alzheimers-disease-a-guide-to-coping-treatment-and-caregiving?
TREATMENT
Alzheimer's dementia treatment guidelines
emphasize early, person-centered care combining pharmacotherapy to manage symptoms with non-drug approaches for behavioral issues. Standard treatments include cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) for mild-to-moderate stages and memantine for moderate-to-severe, with newer amyloid-targeting therapies (lecanemab, donanemab) approved to slow decline.
Pharmacotherapy (Symptom Management):
Cholinesterase Inhibitors: Approved for mild-to-moderate stages (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) to improve cognition and daily functioning.
Memantine (Namenda): Approved for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's to manage cognitive decline.
Combination Therapy: Often used in moderate-to-severe stages to maximize efficacy.
Amyloid-Targeted Therapies: Lecanemab (2023) and donanemab (2024) are recommended for early Alzheimer’s disease to target underlying
pathology rather than just symptoms. These require MRI monitoring for brain swelling/bleeding.
Key Components of Person-Centered Care
Knowing the Person: Understanding the individual’s life history, preferences, beliefs, and values to guide care decisions.
Individualized Care Planning: Tailoring activities and medical care to the
specific needs and remaining abilities of the person.
Meaningful Engagement: Providing purposeful activities that promote connection and engagement, rather than just focusing on tasks.
Validating Reality: Accepting the person's reality and focusing on the emotions behind their communication.
Shared Decision-Making: Involving the person with
dementia in decisions as much as possible, including advanced care planning.
Supportive Environment: Creating a calm, safe environment with tailored support that minimizes distress.
Benefits and Goals
Improved Quality of Life: Person-centered care significantly improves the quality of life for people with dementia and reduces agitation and depression.
Enhanced Autonomy: It promotes a sense of control and independence for the individual.
Better Caregiver Outcomes: It often leads to
higher job satisfaction for staff and reduced stress for family caregivers.
https://pro.alz.org/files/download/0AC654CC-644F-487C-A64C-1817784AA9CD.pd
