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TOP FIVE DEMENTIA MEDICATIONS FOR SENIORS

Posted on October 31, 2022

Dementia is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms associated with declining mental ability and an inability to cope with everyday life. It is not one specific disease, but rather, a group of symptoms that result from various underlying causes. In some cases, these symptoms can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes.

If you are the parent or caregiver of someone who has been diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia, it’s important to understand the different types of medications for dementia that may be helpful in managing your loved one’s condition. Dementia requires ongoing monitoring and adjustments to medication as your loved one’s needs change over time which can be done properly by experts, so there is a need for senior living for your parents. It’s not easy to relocate them to these communities but for their proper care, you need to take a decision.  When you have a loved one who is suffering from dementia, it can put a lot of stress on the family. Not only do you need to keep an eye on them at all times, but also make sure they are safe at all times. Keeping an aging parent or relative with dementia at home requires special care and monitoring as they are more prone to wander off and get lost. Moreover, they might not be able to recognize people around them, which makes it even more challenging for their friends and relatives to take care of them.

 

Addressing the symptoms of dementia is often difficult because this condition progresses with time and leaves the patient incapable of thinking clearly or communicating their needs.
In most cases, full care is needed for the patient for these CCRC are available all over the world. The disease may also lead to behavioral changes that make caring for your loved one even more challenging. Medication is one way of managing these effects and improving the quality of life for patients with dementia by addressing some of its most common symptoms.

The Dementia Epidemic Explained

Dementia is a condition that often begins gradually and gets worse over time, although there is significant variability between individuals. Dementia is caused by a wide range of health problems that affect the brain and nervous system, including diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. Dementia is a general term for loss of cognitive function that is extensive enough to interfere with daily life. It is a progressive condition that will get worse over time if not treated. Dementia can affect one or more areas of cognition, such as memory, language, problem-solving, and judgment. While memory loss is a normal part of day-to-day life, oftentimes more likely the result of poor sleep than aging, dementia is a serious progression of memory loss that eventually may lead to death. While dementia can affect people of any age, the majority of sufferers are over age 65. Memory loss is an expected part of life, but when your activities of daily living (ADLs), such as cooking, bathing, sleeping, and cleaning your house are compromised, it might be time to talk to your doctor about your brain health. In Dementia, these basic daily routine activities become hard to do, so for these situations, Fully serviced retirement homes like vardaan senior living work to help seniors.

 

Types of Dementia

 

Alzheimer’s Disease:

This is by far the most common form of dementia, accounting for up to 60% of diagnosed cases. Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s will begin to experience significant memory loss, difficulty in completing everyday tasks, and changes in behavior.

Vascular Dementia:

Vascular dementia is caused by a series of strokes that damage the brain’s blood vessels. These strokes often occur when a blood clot blocks one of the arteries that carry blood and nutrients to the brain.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies:

This form of dementia is increasingly common among individuals over the age of 65. It is often misdiagnosed and frequently overlooked as a cause of cognitive impairment.

Frontotemporal Dementia:

This form of dementia is less common than Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, but it is often misdiagnosed. It commonly presents in younger people and individuals with certain gene mutations.

Treating Dementia

As with most diseases, the best way to treat dementia is to prevent it in the first place. Certain lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and engaging in exercise can be very effective in reducing your risk of developing dementia. If you or a loved one has already been diagnosed with dementia, there are some medications that can help treat the condition. While no treatment can cure dementia, there are some medications that can reduce agitation, confusion, and anxiety that often accompany this condition. Psychotropic medications are those that affect thinking, mood, or behavior. They are used to treat various mental health conditions, including dementia. There are some common types of psychotropic medications for treating dementia: – Cholinesterase Inhibitors: Also called COIs, these medications work by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain. This neurotransmitter is responsible for memory and learning, so increasing its level can improve dementia symptoms. – N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonists: These drugs work by regulating chemicals in the brain that are associated with mood and behavior. – antipsychotic medication: These drugs work by regulating chemicals in the brain that are associated with mood and behavior.

5 Top Dementia Medications

Donepezil:

This drug is used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. It works by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain.

Rivastigmine:

This drug is used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. It works by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain.

Galantamine:

This drug is used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. It works by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain.

Memantine:

This drug is used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease and moderate dementia with Lewy bodies. It works by regulating chemicals in the brain that are associated with mood and behavior.

Pimozide:

This drug is used to treat agitation and aggression in individuals with dementia. It works by regulating chemicals in the brain that are associated with mood and behavior.

 

Alternatives to Pharmaceutical Treatments

 

Exercise:

Some studies suggest that three 30-minute sessions of aerobic exercise per week can reduce the risk of dementia by 40%. Vardaan Senior Living

Healthy Diet:

Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of dementia.

Social Engagement:

Studies have shown that engaging in social activities can reduce the risk of dementia. This can include attending religious services, reading groups, and other activities. All these activities are planned for vardaan residents to maintain their mental health.

Managing Stress:

Managing stress effectively can reduce the risk of dementia. This can include getting plenty of sleep, exercising, and managing any chronic health conditions. For managing stress, vardaan senior living organizes wellness programs every month.

Other Less-Targeted Dementia Medications

Benzodiazepines:

These may be prescribed for short-term treatment of some symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, and insomnia. However, they should be used with caution as they can be highly addictive.

Psychostimulants:

These drugs can be used to treat symptoms associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in individuals with dementia.

Antidepressants:

These drugs are sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety and depression in individuals with dementia.

Conclusion

Dementia is a condition that requires ongoing monitoring and adjustment of drug treatment as your loved one’s needs change over time. When you have a loved one who is suffering from dementia, it can put a lot of stress on the family. Not only do you need to keep an eye on them at all times, but also make sure they are safe at all times, for that vardaan has the availability of Assistant Care Givers. Senior Living becoming a need for seniors in these situations as they are safe for seniors. Keeping an aging parent or relative with dementia at home requires special care and monitoring as they are more prone to wander off and get lost. Moreover, they might not be able to recognize people around them, which makes it even more challenging for their friends and relatives to take care of them.