Treating Alzheimer's disease

There's currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, although medication is available that can temporarily reduce some symptoms or slow down the progression of the condition in some people.

Support is also available to help someone with the condition cope with everyday life.

Care plan

If you're diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, it's helpful if your health and social care needs are assessed and plans made forthe future.

A care plan is a way of ensuring you receive the right treatment for your needs. It involves identifying areas where you may need some assistance, such as:

  • what support you or your carer need for you to remain as independent as possible
  • whether there are any changes that need to be made to your home to make it easier to live in
  • whether you need any financial assistance

Healthcare professionals (such as your GP or psychiatrist) and social care services (which is normally your local council working with the NHS), will usually both be involved in helping draw up and carry out care plans.

Memantine may be prescribed for people with mid-stage disease who cannot take AChE inhibitors, orfor those withlate-stage disease.

There's no difference in how well each of the three different AChE inhibitors work, althoughsome peoplerespond bettertocertain types or have fewer side effects.

All of these medications can only be prescribed by specialists such as psychiatrists, neurologists and geriatricians. They may be prescribed by your GP on the advice of a specialist.

If you're caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, your views should be taken into account when prescribing medication, as well as at regular assessments. These assessments take place to ensure the medication is having a worthwhile effect and to identify and monitor side effects.

Read guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease .

Side effects

Donepezil, galantamine and rivastigminecan cause side effectssuch as:

  • feeling and being sick
  • dizziness
  • diarrhoea
  • Headaches
  • agitation
  • insomnia
  • muscle cramps
  • more rarely, slowing of the heartbeatwhich can cause issues if you already have problems with your heart rhythm.

These side effects are more likely to occur at the beginning of therapy or when the dose is increased. Your doctor should review your medical history and your other medications to check the suitability and risk of interactions.

Common side effects of memantine include:

  • dizziness
  • headaches
  • high blood pressure
  • tiredness
  • constipation
  • shortness of breath
  • more rarely, problems with walking or increased confusion
  • very rarely, seizures

For more information about the possible side effects of your specific medication, refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with it or speak to your doctor.

Supportive measures and treatments

In addition to medication, treatment for Alzheimer's disease involves a wide range of other measures and treatments to helppeople with dementialive as independently as possible.

For example, an occupational therapist can identify problems or unsafe areasin your everyday life and help you to develop strategies or use alternative tools to manage these. They may suggest:

  • ways of prompting and reminding yourself of important taskssuch as using diaries or calendars
  • assistive technologydevices or systems to help maintain the independence andsafety of people living with dementia
  • adding grab bars and handrails to your home to help you move around safely
  • other professionals visiting you at home and assisting with daily tasks to maintain your independence in the community

Psychological treatments, such as cognitive stimulation,may be offered tohelp improve your memory, problem solving skills and language ability.

Medication, other psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy , music and art therapy, reminiscence and relaxation therapies may also be offered. These may help with managing depression , anxiety, agitation, hallucinations, delusions and challenging behaviour that can occur with Alzheimer's disease.

However, as it's a progressive condition, it can be helpful and reassuring for both you and your family if you make plans for the future.

Advance care planning means considering, discussing and possibly recording your wishes and decisions for future care. It's about planning for a time when you may not be able to make some decisions for yourself.

In the earlier stages of the disease, you should have the opportunity to discuss with health professionals and your family about the future. This may involve the use of:

  • advance statements
  • advance decisions to refuse treatment
  • lasting power of attorney
  • preferred prioritiesfor care

End of life care, or palliative care, provides support for people with an incurable illness, so they're able to live as well and as comfortably as possible until their death. It also involves support for family members. Caremay be provided at home, a hospice, a care home or hospital.

For people nearing the end of life, their care team should assess their needs, make them feel comfortable and allow them to die with dignity in a place of their choosing.

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Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 20 Jan 2017