Types Of Support And Therapy For Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's is a brain disorder that worsens over time and affects millions worldwide. As the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer's disease can cause impairment in memory, mood, behavior, and cognitive capabilities, significantly impacting individuals and their loved ones. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer's; by 2050, this number is projected to grow to around 13 million.
Although there is no cure for this condition, various methods are available to support individuals with Alzheimer's and their loved ones. If you or someone you love is living with Alzheimer's, it can be beneficial to look further into the symptoms and causes of Alzheimer's, available treatment options, and how therapy might offer guidance.
What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for conditions that affect a person's memory, reasoning, thinking, personality, behavior, and mood. As a progressive illness, Alzheimer's symptoms often start mild and worsen as time passes.
Early stage of Alzheimer’s
In the early stage of Alzheimer's, an individual may experience symptoms like the following:
Difficulty with short-term memory, such as the names of others
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Misplacing items
If you have memory difficulties, it can be beneficial to take them seriously, as the CDC notes that memory problems are often "one of the first warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias."
Middle stage of Alzheimer’s
In the middle stage of the disease, people with Alzheimer's may experience worsening symptoms, including:
Confusion about where they are or what day it is
Difficulty remembering information about themselves or their past
Sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns
Personality and behavior changes, such as compulsive behaviors and delusions
Late stage of Alzheimer’s
The late stage of the disease is characterized by increasingly severe Alzheimer's symptoms, such as:
Difficulty communicating
Loss of awareness of recent experiences and surroundings
Difficulty walking, sitting up, or standing
Inability to perform daily tasks
A loss of memory about relationships or one's own identity
As the illness progresses, a person with Alzheimer's disease may not recognize loved ones and may require assistance with tasks like eating, going to the bathroom, and getting in and out of bed.
Causes of Alzheimer’s and the role of brain activities
Alzheimer's research is still evolving, and scientists have not yet determined what causes the disease. However, as the National Institute on Aging notes, the causes may include age-related changes in the brain and genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
It is believed that an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain may also cause brain cells to die. This gradual, continuous death of nerve cells may result in Alzheimer's symptoms.
How are Alzheimer's disease and dementia treated?
Although there is no known cure for Alzheimer's, research is consistently evolving, and various treatments exist to help clients manage their symptoms and try to slow the progression of the disease. Medications may be useful for improving a client's quality of life and helping them maintain their independence and cognition for an extended period. However, consult your doctor before considering, changing, or stopping a medication.
Aside from medication, there are several other methods for supporting those with Alzheimer's in maintaining cognition and keeping mental abilities as sharp as possible. Staying mentally, socially, and physically active can contribute to overall health and well-being. Therapy may also be beneficial for individuals with Alzheimer's and their families.
Can therapy for Alzheimer's help manage the condition?
Therapy may be valuable for helping those with Alzheimer's manage their symptoms. Because an Alzheimer's diagnosis can be distressing for the individual and their loved ones, therapy may also be useful for navigating the emotions surrounding the disease and any additional mental health conditions that may arise, such as anxiety or depression.
Cognitive and memory treatments for patients with Alzheimer’s
There are several forms of therapy that may benefit Alzheimer's patients, including but not limited to the following:
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): A form of therapy focused on helping the client keep their mind active through memory exercises and stimulation.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A form of therapy that focuses on helping individuals identify and shift unhealthy or unhelpful thought patterns.
Music Therapy: A treatment that involves getting creative by making music or playing an instrument.
Reminiscence Work: A treatment involving discussing the patient's life and past, potentially helping them retain memory and quality of life.
Therapy may also benefit the loved ones of someone with Alzheimer's. An Alzheimer's diagnosis can be frightening and life-altering for family members and friends.
A 2022 study found a high prevalence of depression among those who care for family members with Alzheimer's.
Licensed professionals and caregiver support
When navigating an Alzheimer's diagnosis, a licensed professional's support may help manage associated emotions and stress. A 2017 study published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy found that psychoeducational therapy improved caregiving skills, quality of life, and mental health among caregivers of people with Alzheimer's.
Alternative support options
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's can be stressful and time-consuming, and caregivers may have little time to commute to and from a therapist's office. In these cases, online therapy, delivered via a platform like BetterHelp, may be more convenient than in-person therapy. For those with busy schedules, online therapy can be flexible, allowing you to meet with a therapist wherever you have an internet connection and eliminating the need for a commute.
Effectiveness of online therapy for Alzheimer’s disease
Research has proven online therapy effective for those experiencing various mental health concerns. A 2017 study found that internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy was effective at treating conditions like depression, which may be prevalent among those caring for someone with Alzheimer's.
Having a family member with Alzheimer's can be distressing, but help is available. Regardless of the format it takes, therapy can offer valuable support and guidance in navigating an Alzheimer's diagnosis and maintaining mental health.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
For examples of questions that might be beneficial to explore in therapy, please see below.
What is the best therapy for Alzheimer's and dementia?
Many therapies may be helpful for people living with Alzheimer disease. However, therapy is often more effective for early Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, as the cognitive decline associated with modern to severe Alzheimer’s disease can make it difficult for someone to participate in sessions and understand the therapy modality. Often, the most recommended modality for people with dementia or mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease is cognitive stimulation therapy (CST). This modality helps clients with early Alzheimer’s to improve cognitive function through activities like memory exercises, occupational therapy, and problem-solving. Other therapies and Alzheimer’s treatments that may be effective include life story work, medication therapies, and cognitive rehabilitation.
What cognitive treatments are used to treat Alzheimer's disease?
The most frequently used treatments to support a person’s symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include cognitive rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and support groups. Cognitive treatments tend to focus on stimulating the mind through activities that are cognitively stimulating, such as problem-solving, puzzles, and memory games. People may also work on remembering information from their lives. However, as the disease progresses, especially during the middle stages and later stages, therapy may not be as easy or effective for the client. As Alzheimer’s progresses, the person may lose their ability to talk or respond coherently. Alzheimer’s and related dementias are progressive diseases, meaning they end in death. Although therapy may slow memory loss and treat symptoms in the early stages, there is not currently a cure for Alzheimer’s found by any clinical studies.
What is the role of a caregiver for a dementia patient?
Caregivers support individuals in their Alzheimer’s treatment by providing services unique to the individual, such as watching over them to ensure they don’t wander, making meals, helping them change, or assisting in bathing and bathroom activities. Caregivers are sometimes health professionals but can also be family members, friends, or someone else. Caregivers might work full-time with their clients or work in shifts to support them. During moderate Alzheimer’s disease or severe stages, the person might be supported by an institution, such as a long-term care facility, where they can work with a team of caregivers. Caregivers in these locations are often medical staff, such as occupational therapists, doctors, nutritionists, nurses, and therapists.
How do you keep the brain active with Alzheimer's?
Keeping the brain active during Alzheimer’s might involve cognitive exercises, therapy, and prescription medications as possible Alzheimer’s treatments. However, since there is no cure or way to fully prevent Alzheimer’s disease once it has begun, the disease process will eventually lead to brain swelling and complete lack of many previous abilities. New treatments are constantly being studied. More research may provide insights into potential ways to increase cognitive activity in those with Alzheimer’s in the future.
What activities are good for Alzheimer's memory?
Many activities may be helpful in increasing brain health and improving memory. Although activities cannot replace the missing protein beta amyloid plaques caused by Alzheimer’s, they may improve behavioral symptoms and increase one’s ability to remember information. For example, problem-solving exercises, music, art activities, and memory games might be used in Alzheimer’s treatment. Clinical trials have found that music therapy may help people with dementia recall information more easily.
How can you support someone with Alzheimer's?
You can support someone with Alzheimer’s by being present, treating them with dignity, and speaking to them as an adult. Even if they start to act differently, empathy and respect may go a long way in supporting their journey. If you’re worried about the potential risks of caregiving for a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s, you might consider intensive long-term care options for higher risk patients. These locations can treat agitation, memory loss, and other symptoms in a secure, comforting, and medical environment that may improve mood and functioning for the person with dementia. In addition, if the person is living with other health complications, such as heart disease, doctors can be on staff to assist in case of an emergency.
What are the psychological therapies for Alzheimer's patients?
Many therapies can be used to support the mental health and cognitive functioning of people with Alzheimer’s. Some of the most common modalities used include the following:
- Cognitive stimulation therapy
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Life story work
- Animal-assisted therapy
Often, medications (such as anti-anxiety medications) are recommended alongside psychotherapy to support symptoms like high blood pressure, restricted blood vessels, anxiety, irritation, and lessened beta amyloid deposits. There may be risk factors of taking medication, so always discuss options with your doctor before starting, changing, or stopping a medication. Some people may be recommended IV infusion therapy. However, in rare instances, there may be infusion-related interactions. Talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of a treatment.
Systematic reviews on the efficacy of medications like cholinesterase inhibitors, coral calcium supplements, and NMDA antagonists in people with amyloid related imaging abnormalities found that these treatments show promise for study participants.
How do people with Alzheimer's cope?
Finding out you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can be stressful. People in the early stages of this condition may find support by going to therapy with a licensed counselor who has experience supporting clients with dementia. Modalities like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioral therapy, and life story work may be helpful. Having a healthy support system and a plan in place for your future may also be reassuring. At home, you can practice self-care, such as mindfulness exercises, to support yourself in difficult moments.
How do you stop Alzheimer's from progressing?
The progression of Alzheimer’s cannot be stopped at this time, though some studies have looked into ways to slow the progression. Because this condition is progressive, once it has begun, it cannot be stopped. Alzheimer’s ends in death. If you or someone you love are struggling with a dementia diagnosis, talking to a therapist may be helpful to cope.
Do people with Alzheimer's need therapy?
People with Alzheimer’s don’t have to go to therapy. However, therapy can be helpful in reducing some of the distressing symptoms of the condition, such as anxiety, agitation, memory loss, and fear. Therapy can also help a person prepare for the future and work through matters like a will, funeral planning, etc. For families who are struggling, family therapy might be helpful to talk about what to expect in the coming months and process emotions together.
Can someone with Alzheimer's get better?
People with Alzheimer’s cannot get better in the long-term, although short-term improvements might be noticed. However, because dementia is progressive, the condition cannot be cured. Treatments like therapy, medication, and medical appointments may reduce the distress a person with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones experience.
What should you not do when caring for someone with Alzheimer's?
When caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, avoid the following:
- Aggressive language
- Talking to the person like they are a child
- Ignoring the person’s wishes from before their disease progressed
- Abusing the individual financially, emotionally, mentally, physically, sexually, or in any way
- Ignoring the individual’s religious or spiritual wishes
- Ignoring the individual’s gender identity or sexuality
- Neglecting the individual’s physical needs if they can’t care for themselves
If you struggle to care for a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s, you might consider getting them support from a caregiver or long-term care facility.
Can a person with Alzheimer's be left alone?
People with Alzheimer’s may be able to be alone in the early stages of their disease. However, over time, they may be at a higher risk of wandering off, getting lost, or becoming injured. In these cases, they may require 24/7 supervision from a caregiver or care team.
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