Few issues worry seniors and their loved ones as much as the possibility of getting Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s can be a terrifying diagnosis, and it strikes one in three seniors by the end of their lives.

The medical implications of Alzheimer’s are well known. It is a neurological disorder of the brain that causes a number of behavioral challenges, including potentially significant mood swings and memory loss and, ultimately, dementia. The good news is that, while there is no cure, there are a number of treatment and senior living options that can slow the progression of the disease and help people with Alzheimer’s live more comfortable and rewarding lives.

Warning signs

There are a number of common warning signs that can alert family and friends to the possibility of Alzheimer’s. The most common issues people experience are memory loss, confusion about time and places, inability to recognize people who are close to them, and difficulty completing simple tasks. People with Alzheimer’s also often isolate themselves from friends and family in an effort to mask their symptoms from those who are closest to them. These are all behaviors that are easily recognizable and, while they aren’t necessarily indicators that a person definitely has the disease, they are warning signs that should be addressed.

Other warning signs are more likely to be noticed by family members, healthcare providers, and the very closest of friends. For instance, people with Alzheimer’s often have trouble with money. It’s not unusual for them to pay the same bill twice. Another common issue is difficulty handling personal care tasks. They may stop properly grooming or bathing themselves. People with Alzheimer’s also often begin to struggle with depression, which can pose significant health and safety issues for seniors and should be addressed immediately.

When loved ones notice these symptoms, their first course of action should be to encourage the person to go to the doctor for a check-up to rule out other medical issues. If a medical examination doesn’t find other medical or psychological issues, the patient should be referred to a neurologist, who can determine whether the symptoms are indeed caused by Alzheimer’s Disease.

Living with Alzheimer’s

While receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is certainly a life-changing event, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Advances in treatment and caregiving have resulted in vital improvements to the quality of life of people with Alzheimer’s.

There are a number of medications providing different benefits for people with the disease. For people with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s, cholinesterase inhibitors can be used to delay or prevent symptoms from worsening. Examples of cholinesterase inhibitors include Razadyne, Exelon and Aricept.

For those with more severe Alzheimer’s, Namenda, an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, can be used to delay progression of the most serious symptoms. Because cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA antagonists work in different ways, they can be prescribed in combination to manage a wider range of symptoms. While these medications don’t offer a cure, they can make an important difference in the quality of life of people with Alzheimer’s and their ability to live more independently.

Page 2 of 3 - Independence is an important issue. One of the initial challenges to be addressed after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is whether the patient is able to continue to live safely in his or her own home and, if so, how much assistance will be required. For patients who are able to remain at home, home health aids can be contracted to provide assistance with personal skills such as bathing, dressing, eating, shopping, doing laundry and paying bills. Under special circumstances they can sometimes check vital signs and skin, and remind patients about their medication schedules.

Registered nurses can also provide invaluable in-home healthcare services, administering medications and monitoring and addressing health issues that are common among seniors, including high blood pressure, diabetes and incontinence. Visiting nurses also regularly monitor and evaluate the disease’s progression and its impact on other healthcare issues.

Of course, as the disease progresses it becomes more difficult for patients to continue to live at home. Fortunately, there are several senior living options for those who need more services and supervision than they can get on their own.

The least intensive residential option is an assisted living residence that specializes in Alzheimer’s care. These facilities, which are often called memory care communities, permit seniors to own their own units in residences that are specifically built to serve people with Alzheimer’s. They are built with special materials that promote safety and wellness, and they are also decorated in a fashion that provides a soothing environment that won’t exacerbate residents’ behavioral challenges. They also provide numerous programs and activities designed to provide a rewarding and enjoyable lifestyle, including gardening, cooking and kitchen work, and other life skills.

Finally, for people who need more intensive care, Alzheimer’s special care facilities are available. These residences are typically attached to nursing homes, and they offer a safe and supportive environment that is created to meet the unique medical and lifestyle needs of people with severe Alzheimer’s. They share many of the calming and safety features of Memory Care communities, while offering greater medical resources and more supervision.

Often, people with Alzheimer’s transition from one level of living to another, starting at home when they are first diagnosed, transitioning to assisted living or memory care when their needs grow, and finally moving to a special care facility when their healthcare and wellness needs become more significant.

There are more than five million Americans living today with Alzheimer’s Disease. While it is certainly a life-changing diagnosis for seniors and their families, there are more resources and options than ever before for helping people live longer, more productive lives. By knowing the warning signs and knowing where to turn for resources, family members and other loved ones can help make life healthier and more rewarding for people with Alzheimer’s.

Page 3 of 3 - Bency Punnose, RN, is director of nursing at Meadow Green Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Waltham. She can be reached at BPunnose@FranchiHC.com.