While Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias lead to many challenges, there is no cure-all, and drugs are frequently misused. The prevalence for people with dementia is much greater for those 85 years and older. Families with loved ones with dementia are faced with much greater caregiving responsibilities. No two people experience Alzheimer’s disease in the same way. As a result, there's no one approach to caregiving. Caregiving responsibilities after a diagnosis can range from making financial decisions, managing changes in behavior, to helping a loved one get dressed in the morning.
Community resources include the Alzheimer’s Association, hospital-based support groups, and various government resources. While there are no “cures” for Alzheimer’s disease, there are a number of medicines that might mitigate the effects of the disease. However, becoming more aware of someone’s needs, and trying to communicate with them wherever they are, is just as important. There are a number of instances where people received medicines meant for another disease or symptom. Many people become disoriented because there are given too many medicines.
Many elders in nursing homes and community-based settings are over-medicated. People being treated with dementia are given even more drugs, even though they are not very effective (many anti-psychotics only work in 1 in 5 people). Medication mostly sedates people, as opposed to treating their symptoms. A more person-centered approach would allow staff to spend time getting to know the elders. Many have some recognition of music, or art, or certain words related to their life experiences. Caregivers and nurses can work closely to draw people out, and they can become more communicative and less agitated.
Jane Verity runs an amazing program in Australia called the Spark of Life program, where staff spends 1 hour per day with people with dementia trying to connect to people in their secret gardens. View a You-tube video about this program, where staff meet individuals' social, emotional, and spiritual needs. A healthy spirit improves daily life. They use music and art and costumes to engage people with dementia, and work with doctors, nurses and families to reduce multi-meds. Many people “awoke” from year-long slumbers and started talking and participating more.
