Can Alzheimer’s be Treated? Everything You Need to Know
This Alzheimers Awareness Month is all about raising awareness, understanding the causes, symptoms, and Alzheimer’s treatment options. Keep reading to learn more!
Alzheimer’s disease usually begins in people aged 65, and the chances of getting this disorder increase as we age. According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 747,000 people live with Alzheimer’s in Canada, and this number is predicted to increase by up to 1.4 million in 2031.
Before reviewing the different Alzheimer’s treatment options, let’s first go over the basics.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that causes the brain cells to degenerate (waste away) and ultimately die. Among the various dementia disorders, Alzheimer’s is the most commonly occurring one.
Are Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia the Same?
While it is a common misconception that both are the same, there is a distinction. Dementia is a collective term used to describe various cognitive disorders such as memory loss or forgetfulness. Alzheimer’s disease is just one of many dementia disorders. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s constitutes almost 60%-80% of dementia cases.
What Are The Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease?
There is no scientific evidence that can determine the exact cause of Alzheimer’s, but over the years, experts have narrowed down the causes to:
- Age
- Family History
- Genetics
Let’s break down each of these points further.
1. Age
Age is the single most significant factor that increases the risk of getting Alzheimer’s. According to research, Alzheimer’s disorder most commonly starts at the age of 65. However, some reports suggest an early or younger-onset condition in which people suffer Alzheimer’s from ages 45-50.
2. Family History
The genes you inherit from your family also play an important role in getting Alzheimer’s disease. If some of your family members had dementia at a younger age, then there is an increased chance of you inheriting the same fate. If you are concerned, you have the option of seeking genetic counselling as an extra precaution if there is history in your family.
3. Genetics
Alzheimer’s is also known to be caused by genetic disorders. For example, according to certain reports, people with Down’s Syndrome are at a higher risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease. This is because the same genetic fault that causes Down’s Syndrome builds up amyloid plaques in the brain over time.
Similarly, other genetic disorders trigger neurological issues that ultimately lead to Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, other important factors may not directly cause Alzheimer’s but play an essential role. These include:
- Head Injuries
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Untreated Depression
- Hearing Loss
- Social Isolation
Common Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
We all forget some things from time to time, and this is normal. Nonetheless, it is still important to be aware of specific symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease causes the person to display some or all of the following symptoms:
- Unable to perform routine activities such as remembering deadlines or appointments due to memory loss
- Not being able to perform daily tasks, such as getting dressed
- Simple problem-solving becomes difficult
- Difficulty in speaking or writing
- Disorientation concerning place or time
- More cases of poor judgements
- Not maintaining proper personal hygiene
- Sudden changes in mood and personality
- Significant decrease in social interaction or withdrawal from family and friends
Alzheimer’s symptoms are very much dependent on the stage the patient is suffering from at the time. The 1st stage consists of no impairment. The 7th stage is the most severe and final stage that causes loss of speech and facial expressions.
Alzheimer’s Treatment Options: Is There A Cure?
Though there is no cure for the disease, there are helpful Alzheimer’s treatment options. These include prescription treatments and home healthcare services.
The prescribed treatments are beneficial in slowing down the cognitive decline progression and improving quality of life. We recommend visiting your doctor or healthcare professional to get a proper analysis before jumping into any treatment.
Did you know that you or a loved one can also receive home healthcare services from a pharmacist and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at no cost through your local Wellness Pharmacy?
The Wellness Pharmacy Home Monitoring Program is a referral-based, home care assistance program that complements a doctor’s care – in the comfort of your own home.
What is the Wellness Pharmacy Home Monitoring Program?
Most people think of a pharmacist as a person dispensing prescription drugs from behind the counter, but Wellness pharmacists are much more than that. As a vital part of our Pharmacy Home Monitoring Program, our pharmacists visit patients in their homes to conduct wellness checks to:
- Review a patient’s current medication regimen
- Identify drug-related problems such as drug interactions, side effects and dosing issues
- Conduct a medicine cabinet review, and remove expired or outdated medications (disposing of them responsibly)
- Train patients on the use of medical devices such as a blood glucose meter or nebulizer
- Create a current medication list (Best Possible Medication History)
- Prepare a complete summary with recommendations on dosing, and changes to medication and/or medication regimen and send it to the patient’s physician and other members of the healthcare team
- Develop an Individualized Care Plan for the patient’s ongoing home health monitoring by a nurse
- Provide the physician and other members of the healthcare team with regular reports on health and medication status and concerns
Patients also receive ongoing wellness checks from Licensed Practical Nurses who provide customized home healthcare services as outlined in each patient’s Individualized Care Plan. Home monitoring visits may include:
- Administration of medications and monitoring of side effects
- Administration of injections – daily or weekly
- Application of transdermal patches
- Monitoring of blood pressure, pulse rate, body weight, blood glucose, and acute and chronic medical conditions
- Continued training on the use of medical devices and medication adherence with the goal of supporting patient independence and medication self-management
Final Thoughts
Our home healthcare services are designed to take care of the unique needs of the whole patient.
Family members take comfort in this extra level of care, which helps alleviate some of the emotional stress and anxiety from caring for loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
If you have any questions about the Pharmacy Home Monitoring Program, please visit our FAQ page here.
Finally, if you are a healthcare professional and would like to refer your patient to the Home Monitoring Program, please download the referral form here and email or fax to the contact on the top of the form, or you can call the referral line at 604-880-2340.
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