Reversing Alzheimer's: What Families Need to Know
According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 7.2 million American adults 65 and older live with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most (74%) are seniors 75 or older, but around 11% are 65 or older.
If you have an older loved one living in Tampa Bay, FL, who also has AD, one of your first thoughts may have been about the possibility of reversing Alzheimer's.
So, is this progressive brain disorder reversible? What Alzheimer's treatment options are available anyway? And is there anything you can do as a loving family member to help your aging loved one with AD cope with their condition?
Please read on, as the kind and compassionate team at Aston Gardens at Tampa Bay, our senior living community offering memory care in Tampa, FL, has put together this guide answering all those questions.
Is Reversing Alzheimer's Possible?
As the U.S. CDC explains, there is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease at this time. However, dementia care therapies and cognitive decline treatments are available and can help improve the quality of life of people living with AD.
It's also vital to note that research on Alzheimer's (e.g., the possibility of reversing memory loss and other dementia symptoms) is ongoing.
For example, an article published by News-Medical.net in August 2024 discussed a study's findings on the effects of a molecule called "DDL-920" on Alzheimer's. The study by UCLA Health researchers found that the compound restored cognitive functions in mice genetically altered to have AD symptoms. The authors say that if proven to have the same effects in humans, the molecule may be able to revitalize memory and cognition among people with Alzheimer's.
What Alzheimer's Treatment Options and Therapies Are Available?
Several treatments are available for Alzheimer's disease, including medications and non-drug approaches. While they cannot cure AD, they can help manage symptoms, including emotional, mental, and personality changes. Some may even slow the progression of the disease.
Their ultimate goal is to help people with this brain disorder experience a better quality of life.
Medications for Alzheimer's Disease
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications as treatments for Alzheimer's disease. They include:
- Cholinesterase inhibitors: Include donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine, which may help improve memory and cognitive function in people with mild to moderate AD
- Memantine: A drug that may help with cognitive and functional decline
- Lecanemab and donanemab: Newer medications for early Alzheimer's that can slow down decline in cognition and function in the disease's early stages
People with Alzheimer's may also have to take other medications like antidepressants and antipsychotics. Such drugs can help address specific symptoms of mental health conditions that arise due to or along with AD. For example, they can help manage or control agitation, depression, or anxiety in seniors.
Specialized Memory Care Services
Specialized memory care is a care program specifically designed for people with Alzheimer's disease (or other types of dementia) and provides:
- A science-based, person-centered approach to enhance lifestyle quality, engagement, and comprehension
- A safe living environment that promotes cognitive, emotional, mental, and physical well-being
- A maintenance-free lifestyle that empowers and gives seniors more time to engage in life-enriching activities and stimulating experiences
- A highly personalized care program that aims to preserve positive aspects of a resident's life that are still doing well
At Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay, we proudly offer SHINE®, a specialized, nationally recognized memory care program curriculum in Tampa, FL. It utilizes science-based practices, strategies, and theories that meet all the above factors.
The SHINE® Memory Care program curriculum that our senior living community offers has received recognition from none other than the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization. It is the leading authoritative figure in AD and dementia care and research in the country.
The recognition we've received from the Alzheimer's Association is something we share with only a small, select group of elite dementia and memory care service providers in the United States.
Therapeutic Approaches
Various therapies may also help seniors with Alzheimer's manage their symptoms, engage their senses, and improve their quality of life. Examples include:
- Cognitive stimulation therapy
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Reminiscence therapy
- Music therapy
- Arts therapy
Seniors with AD may also find regular engagement in recreation and socialization helpful for their symptoms. Having fun and staying connected can stimulate their brains and keep them from feeling lonely or isolated.
At Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay, we ensure that all residents, whether from our memory care, independent living, or assisted living campuses, have access to a calendar of fun, fulfilling, and highly social activities and events.
Here are just some of the therapeutic and enriching activities and experiences our memory care residents enjoy:
- Music and aroma therapies
- Live entertainment
- Exercise programs
- Sensory stimulation
- Social hours
- Cognitive games
- Arts and crafts
How Can You Support a Loved One With Alzheimer's Disease?
Supporting a loved one with Alzheimer's disease involves several strategies, including:
- Providing practical assistance, such as helping them transition to memory care, where they can get specialized care and support for daily living activities in a safe, loving, and inclusive environment
- Showing emotional support, including being patient, understanding, and validating their feelings
- Staying in close contact with them, such as frequently texting, calling, or visiting them in their memory care community
All those strategies can help show your aging loved one that you care and want only the best for their well-being. Staying connected can also prevent them from feeling isolated or "far" from family and loved ones.
Remember: Help for AD Is Available
Although a cure for reversing Alzheimer's and its symptoms is something scientists have yet to discover, there is still hope for seniors with AD to live their lives to the fullest. Medication-based treatments, non-drug therapies, and professional memory care services can all help.
If you're looking for a warm, welcoming senior haven for your older loved one with Alzheimer's, we encourage you to consider Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay, our memory care enclave in Tampa Bay, FL. With our nationally recognized SHINE® program, person-centered care and support, a kind and caring team, and many exclusive lifestyle programs and amenities, you can rest assured that your loved one will be in good hands.
Contact us today! We'd love to have you participate in our Be Our Guest program, so you and a guest can enjoy a two-day stay here for free.