Dementia Treatment
The various types of dementia are serious elderly issues, but dementia treatment may be possible in some cases -- at least to slow down the progression and add quality of life. This can only be determined with proper dementia screening. Part of our dementia overview deals with dementia treatment. Depending on the
causes of dementia,
treatment options will be recommended by a physician. So let's first start with the most common forms of dementia.The two most common types of dementia are Alzheimers and
multi-infarct dementia (vascular dementia), both of which are incurable and irreversible. But early screening and dementia treatment such as medication can delay progression by many months, before cognitive and physical abilities are too seriously deteriorated. These medications work best in the stages of early dementia. 
Dementia Treatment for AlzheimersIn treatment for mild Alzheimers, four primary medications are currently being used, and research continues. They are called cholinesterase inhibitors, and researchers do not yet fully understand how they work. But they believe the medications prevent the breakdown of certain brain chemicals used for memory and thinking. The medications work for a limited time until the disease has progressed too seriously. However, they can be effective in delaying the symptoms; and they help with behavior such as agitation, anxiety, depression, wandering, and insomnia. There is another drug, called Namenda® used to halt progression in more serious Alzheimers disease, for several months. This drug is thought to regulate excessive production of certain brain chemicals that cause death of brain cells. It also helps with longer functioning of daily activities, such as toileting. And it can be taken with the cholinesterase inhibitors because they do not conflict. With Alzheimers dementia treatment for either mild or serious cases, medication is started at a low dosage to check for side effects. 
Early medication treatment enables the patient to live at home longer. It also gives time to prepare financial affairs and
legal matters,
and arrange for counseling and caregiver help. It's been estimated that about 70 percent of Alzheimers patients receive
care in their home.
Eventually
long-term care
like nursing home care may be needed, but it is far more costly, at about $80,000 per year for a private room. Assisted living is less than half that, but many facilities will not accept dementia patients because they are not set up to contain a patient when they wander, and cannot be responsible. In comparison, the hourly pay for a home health aid is about $20.Dementia Treatment for Multi-Infarct Dementia Also known as Vascular Dementia, this dementia type is largely due to stroke. The best treatment is prevention. Regulating high blood pressure through nutrition and medication can decrease the chance of stroke. A low-sodium diet may also be recommended. If hypertension runs in the family, these precautions can be taken very early. If stroke has already occurred, especially a series of small strokes, monitoring is crucial, as further strokes can cause changes in the dementia and the severity of damage. Once damage has occurred to the brain tissue, it cannot be reversed. Drug treatment cannot help at this point in restoring the brain. 
Other Dementia TreatmentThe doctor’s findings during dementia screening and a dementia overview may indicate other types of dementia than the two mentioned above. It is possible dementia treatment can given. Most entail new medication or medication adjustment, treatments for specific diseases (see below) when they are discovered, vitamin treatment, possibly surgery and cancer treatment.
Family members who experience depression should also seek help. Because dealing with dementia is so stressful on family members and caregivers, part of treatment should include support, education regarding dementia, teaching skills on how to assist, counseling, and time off so as to avoid depression and burn out. Studies show it is equally as important to help the families and caregivers, as it is to help the patient. Families are sometimes in denial at the onset of dementia, writing it off as simply those "senior moments" and other elderly issues. But it is crucial to understand the
symptoms of dementia
in order to receive timely treatment. Return from Dementia Treatment, |
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