Alzheimer's Care
Alzheimer's care may refer to senior care services that specialize in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Caregivers who provide Alzheimer's care are specially trained in working with individuals with Alzheimer's and in helping them with daily activities. Facilities for Alzheimer's care, sometimes called Alzheimer's special care units (SCUs), are designed to provide an increased sense of familiarity and ensure a safe environment and for residents[1]. Frequently, one Alzheimer's care residence will have multiple facilities available to provide appropriate environments for individuals at each stage of the disease.
Alzheimer's care may also refer to treatments and medications for the disease. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, drug and non-drug treatments are used to help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms.[1] Health professionals often divide the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease into cognitive and behavioral and psychiatric categories.[2]
Treatments for cognitive symptoms
Cholinesterase inhibitors: Prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger important for learning and memory.[2]
Memantine: Regulates the activity of glutamate, a different messenger chemical involved in learning and memory.[2]
Treatments for behavioral and psychiatric symptoms
Alzheimer's disease can affect the way a person feels and acts in addition to its impact on memory and other thought processes. There are two approaches to managing behavioral symptoms.[2]
Non-drug approaches
Steps to developing successful non-drug treatments include:
- Recognizing that the person is not just acting mean or ornery, but is having further symptoms of the disease
- Understanding the cause and how the symptom may relate to the experience of the person with Alzheimer's
- Changing the person's environment to resolve challenges and obstacles to comfort, security, and ease of mind
Potential solutions include the following:[2]
- Monitor personal comfort. Check for pain, hunger, thirst, constipation, full bladder, fatigue, infections and skin irritation. Maintain a comfortable room temperature.
- Avoid being confrontational or arguing about facts; instead, respond to the feeling behind what is being expressed.
- Redirect the person's attention. Try to remain flexible, patient, and supportive.
- Create a calm environment. Avoid noise, glare, insecure space, and too much background distraction, including television.
- Simplify the environment, tasks, and solutions.
- Allow adequate rest between stimulating events.
- Provide a security object or privacy.
- Equip doors and gates with safety locks.
- Remove guns.
Medications
If non-drug approaches aren't affective, medications may be appropriate when combined with non-drug methods.[2] Antidepressant medications are often prescribed for low mood and irritability; anxiolytics for anxiety, restlessness, verbally disruptive behavior, and resistance; and antipsychotic medications for hallucinations, delusions, aggression, agitation, hostility, and uncooperativeness.[2]
For More Information
For in-depth information on Alzheimer's disease and care, read Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview in our Elder Health Guides section and What are some early signs of Alzheimer's Disease? in our Assited Living FAQ section.
Learn more about Alzheimer's care services and Alzheimer's care communities at Emeritus.
References
1. Alzheimer's Association. (n.d.) Choosing Care Providers. Retrieved July 9, 2009, from http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_choosing_care_providers.asp
2. Alzheimer's Association. (n.d.) What is Alzheimer's? Retrieved July 1, 2009, from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_treatments.asp.
3. Alzheimer's Association. (n.d.) What is Alzheimer's? Retrieved July 1, 2009, from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_standard_prescriptions.asp.
