How to Find Treatment for Those With Alzheimer's Disease
Medicine, counseling and therapy can help, but there's still no cure
There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but there are medicines that may improve quality of living and delay some symptoms. Counseling and other therapies may also be recommended.
Currently, there are four drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat the symptoms of the disease for some time, but they cannot stop the disease itself.
Not every drug will be helpful for every person with dementia.
Information about the four currently approved drugs — and about treatments that we know do not work — is found on these sites:
- The NIH Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center has an overview of currently approved drugs, how they work and their potential side effects.
- The Alzheimer's Association has resources on drug and non-drug treatments, and advancements in research.
Behavioral Changes
As the disease progresses, a person with dementia may experience a variety of problems, like sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, anger and depression. Drug and non-drug treatments are available to manage these symptoms. Treating behavioral symptoms often makes people with Alzheimer's more comfortable and helps caregivers keep them safe.
- The NIH Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center has details on types of treatment, approved medications, and current research.
- The Alzheimer's Association has information on behavioral changes, their symptoms, what triggers them, and ways to cope and treat these symptoms.