Most of the time the different types of dementia cannot be cured. However, there are ways to manage your symptoms through medications and psychotherapy. Older patients who are diagnosed with dementia would require a different approach and care apart from medications and therapy.
For people with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease, Aduhelm appears to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. This is the first drug approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer's disease. It's given as an intravenous infusion medication.
If your loved one is diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer's disease their doctor may prescribe this monthly infusion. This drug works in a way where its monoclonal antibody lessens the build-up of amyloid plaques in your brain. These plaques are part of what leads to the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease.
It is a class of medication called NMDA receptor antagonist. Excessive abnormal activity in the brain can cause brain cell death. Memantine works by reducing the abnormal activity in the brain. It is used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and is normally used in people who have moderate to severe levels of Alzheimer’s disease.
This drug works by reducing the abnormal activity in the brain. It will then help to slow down the disease from becoming worse, but will not cure the disease.
Donepezil, Rivastigmine and Galantamine are known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. These medicines are used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. They aid in slowing down the disease from becoming worse, but will not cure it. They prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine - a chemical messenger in the brain, which is important for memory and other thinking skills.
This keeps the levels of acetylcholine high, even while the brain cells that produce the messenger continue to become damaged or die. These medicines works well for people who have mild to moderate levels of Alzheimer’s disease
Restlessness, agitation and sometimes aggressive behaviours are a few of the symptoms that affect many people with dementia. Behaviour therapy can be used to reduce the frequency or severity of problematic behaviours, such as agitation or socially inappropriate conduct.
Identifying what might be triggering a particular behaviour and then devising an intervention that either changes the person's environment or the caregiver's reaction to the behaviour can be effective. Other strategies may include breaking down complex tasks or reducing the amount of activity in the environment to avoid confusion.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is an abnormal degeneration of the brain that leads to changes in a person’s ability to think, speak, socialize and take part in normal daily activities. This can affect every area of a senior's life, making specialized and personalized care even more important.
Caregivers of dementia patients must be educated about the condition. All caregivers must be able to plan and look ahead, always preparing for every situation. They must be especially knowledgeable about common symptoms and outcomes of these conditions. Furthermore, for such older adults who are diagnosed with dementia, their caregivers must be actively involved in almost all aspects of their care. This includes connections between medical teams, family and loved ones.
While there is no cure for dementia, and no sure way to avoid it, keeping your brain active may help to delay or lessen the initial effects of dementia and prolong independence. Reading, learning a new skill and staying physically active and socially connected are steps to staying mentally and physically healthy.