Treatment Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease can affect people in a variety of ways, and so the treatment for Alzheimer’s is often multi-faceted.

Along with cognitive symptoms, people with Alzheimer's may also experience changes in mood or personality at various times, and there are different types of treatments for the different kinds of symptoms.

Not everyone will experience the same symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, or they may share them at other times. However, aspects of treatment can vary. There are some overarching guidelines for treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Creating a custom, adjustable treatment plan

Since each person is different, family members and caregivers should try to maintain contact with their loved one's doctor or treatment team to ensure that the treatment at any given time is appropriate and beneficial. Treatments change over time, depending on the symptoms and their severity, and what might work at one time may not work at another.

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but the main goals of treatment include:¹

• Maintaining quality of life
• Maximizing function in everyday activities
• Supporting cognition, mood, and behavior
• Maintaining a safe environment
• Encouraging social engagement for as long as possible

Developing treatment goals

After making an initial diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, your doctor will then develop an ongoing treatment plan with defined goals. The treatment plan should also include considerations for any other conditions the person with Alzheimer's may have.^2,3

The treatment plan will change over time as symptoms arise and the treatments and goals change. The person with Alzheimer's and their family should discuss this plan with their doctor so everyone knows treatments and what to expect. People in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease should be involved in their treatment decisions as much as possible.

Medication is often the first-line treatment depending on the stage of the disease. While these drugs will not completely stop the disease from progressing, they may slow down the progression and improve symptoms for a time.^2,3

Managing disease progression

As Alzheimer's disease progresses, doctors will continually check in with the patient to assess whether the medicine they are taking is a good fit. They will also ensure that the prescribed medicines do not interfere with any other medical condition or medication the person is taking. Continual reassessment of cognitive function and other symptoms and appropriate referrals are made. This can include support groups, social service agencies, or connections with assistive device companies.

If behavioral or mood symptoms arise, non-drug treatments and strategies are tried first. This can include modifying the environment, simplifying routines and tasks, and checking for medical explanations and drug interactions. If non-drug interventions aren’t successful, doctors may then opt to treat mood symptoms with medication. ^2,3

In the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the doctor will speak with the person’s family and caregivers about more intensive care, if needed, and any end-of-life or long-term care plans the person has put in place.

Include caregivers in the treatment plan

An essential part of managing the care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease includes providing the person’s family and caregivers with information about the condition, local and national resources, and the person’s care and what it means in practical terms.

It is also important for families and caregivers to work with doctors and care teams to help maintain and improve their loved one's quality of life. They can also help provide accurate information about symptoms and treatment responses when the patient can no longer provide such information.