Dementia treatment

Most forms of dementia cannot be cured (though some people with vascular dementia may see at least a partial improvement in cognitive skills through specific therapies). However, there are treatment options that can slow dementia’s progress and help patients live longer, more fulfilling lives.

Dementia medication

Your provider may prescribe the following medications for dementia:

Some common treatments^[17] for dementia include:

• Medications to improve memory: Certain medications work by raising the body’s levels of a particular chemical involved in helping memory and improving judgment. These medications are more effective in the earlier stages of dementia, though some providers may prescribe them even as symptoms progress.
• Medications to treat concurrent conditions: Healthcare providers may prescribe medications to help patients sleep better, improve their mood, lower their anxiety, or reduce their hallucinations. Providers may also prescribe a combination of medications to help decrease a patient’s agitation.
• Changing the environment: People with dementia often see improvements in focus and concentration when clutter noise levels are decreased. Loved ones may also choose to hide or remove objects that could present a danger, such as kitchen knives, car keys, or power tools. There are also monitoring systems that can send out emergency notifications if a person falls or wanders outside a certain area.
• Occupational therapy: Therapists can help modify a home or living area to make it safe for someone with dementia. They can also teach coping behaviors so that patients can live independently for longer and manage their lives better. Occupational therapy focuses on preventing accidents and helping patients retain as much control over their lives as possible.
• Counseling: When a person is first diagnosed with dementia, they may struggle with anger, depression, grief, and other complex or distressing feelings. A trained counselor can help them process these feelings so that they feel better able to cope with their diagnosis and prognosis.
• Simplifying tasks: Breaking tasks into smaller chunks can help people with dementia complete them. Training a person to see tasks this way can help them develop a routine that works for them.
• Adding structure and routine: Doing things the same way every day helps people with dementia know what to expect next. While this will not help mid-to-late stage dementia, it can help people in early-stage dementia continue to handle their own affairs for a longer time.