Dementia is a chronic condition that affects millions of adults around the world. It’s also a progressive illness with effects that tend to become more pronounced over time. It’s most common in elderly patients, and it’s estimated that a third of senior citizens over the age of eighty-five have some form of dementia. However, the condition can also be found in younger adults, where it’s called early onset dementia.
Put simply; dementia impacts the cognitive functioning of the individual. In mild cases, the condition may lead the individual to suffer from minor problems relating to memory (forgetfulness and difficulty in recalling some basic information) but as the condition progresses and becomes more severe, the patient may need constant assistance with daily care. It can affect the person’s emotions and many dementia patients with an advanced form of the illness may become aggressive and can be prone to depression.
In this article, some of the key treatment options for dementia patients will be discussed. Drug therapies play a key role in dementia treatment, however, there are also other treatment options that don’t require medication and can help to improve the lives of dementia patients.
Specific medication
Firstly, it’s important to recognise that pharmaceutical treatments are generally prescribed for dementia patients once their condition is having a significant impact on their daily lives. In the early stages of the illness, other options may be explored when symptoms are mild in nature. There are two main medications that are prescribed that are designed to slow the progression of specific forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s. These are Leqembi and aducanumab. Both these drugs work by removing a specific protein (amyloid beta) in the brain which builds up when specific forms of dementia become more advanced. The aim of this medication is to slow the process of neuron loss in the brain so that the decline of cognitive functioning is slowed down.
Memory care residential facilities
When dementia reaches the stage where it impacts on the daily life of the patient to a degree that remaining at home may pose safety risks, it’s important to consider relocating the patient to a dedicated memory care residential facility. These types of facilities, such as that for memory care in Berkeley, CA offer residents specialist help with their daily routines. This can include having access to healthcare professionals who have extensive knowledge of dementia and can create tailored care plans for the individual that seek to reduce the impact of the condition on their daily routines. On-site staff may be able to prescribe medication and activities can be offered to residents that allow them to cope with dementia whilst still enjoying an enriching routine. The level and progression of dementia is monitored by staff, who will re-assess residents’ safety and security needs to ensure that they remain in the safest possible environment. Some memory care facilities may also offer music therapy in their treatment plans for dementia patients. This treatment can help dementia patients interact with others more effectively and may improve their quality of life, especially when the illness leads to language and communication problems.
