Dementia makes it difficult to think, remember things and focus on tasks, so it often interferes with a senior’s ability to live independently. Catered Living at Ocean Pines offers comprehensive dementia care, ensuring every resident receives personalized support. Learn more about how treatment for dementia can improve your loved one’s quality of life.
Why Understanding Treatment Matters
Understanding dementia treatment is important because it helps you choose the best path forward. If you intervene early, you may be able to prevent your loved one’s dementia symptoms from getting worse.
Dementia Treatment: Understanding the Basics
Medication is one of the most common types of treatment for dementia. However, it’s not the only option. Some families prefer to pursue holistic treatment for dementia, which addresses a person’s physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual needs. A holistic treatment plan may include counseling and supportive services to help an individual improve their mental well-being and maintain as much independence as possible.
Although there are several dementia treatment options, they all have the same goals: to help people with dementia manage their symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.
Exploring Dementia Treatment Options: Which Paths Can Help?
Donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine are used in all stages of dementia, while memantine is only recommended for individuals in the moderate to severe stages of the disease.
Recently, new treatments like lecanemab and donanemab have been approved for early-stage Alzheimer’s, offering promising options aimed at slowing disease progression. These treatments, while still under study for long-term effectiveness, provide additional avenues for managing symptoms in the early phases of dementia.
Although pharmacological treatments for dementia are helpful, they also have some potential side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, constipation and upset stomach.
Other medications treat anxiety, incontinence, depression and other conditions associated with dementia. The right medication for your loved one depends on their symptoms and medical history. For example, someone with advanced dementia may need multiple medications.
Non-Pharmacological Treatments
Non-pharmacological treatment for dementia includes therapy, lifestyle changes and cognitive interventions. Each treatment method aims to help the individual manage their symptoms and prevent dementia from progressing.
People with mild to moderate dementia may benefit from cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), which uses themed sessions to stimulate the mind and encourage individuals with dementia to interact with others. CST groups use the same songs and warm-up activities to maintain consistency.
Reminiscence therapy focuses on experiences and events from the past. Participants view photos, travel souvenirs and other objects, all of which can evoke memories and stimulate the mind. In some programs, seniors have the opportunity to create memory books or document their personal stories.
Some people with dementia have difficulty determining what’s real and what isn’t. Reality orientation therapy addresses confusion by helping participants understand what’s happening around them. This type of therapy weaves details about the environment into everyday conversations, helping seniors remain oriented to time and place.
Reality orientation can be particularly beneficial for individuals in the early stages of dementia, as it helps reinforce awareness of time, place, and identity through frequent reminders and conversations. However, it’s important to balance this approach with validation therapy, which focuses on acknowledging the individual’s emotions and personal reality. Depending on the person’s cognitive state and emotional needs, combining these therapies can offer improved cognitive functioning and a greater sense of control. Studies show that when reality orientation is used appropriately, it can slow cognitive decline and delay the need for nursing home placement.
How Treating Dementia Can Improve Quality of Life
Early dementia treatment improves quality of life in two ways. First, treating dementia makes the symptoms more manageable, allowing seniors to preserve as much of their independence as possible. Second, some types of mild dementia treatment prevent the condition from progressing to the moderate and severe stages.
Once an individual begins treatment, it’s important that they continue. Otherwise, their symptoms may return and the condition is likely to get worse over time. If one medication isn’t working, it may be necessary to try a different one. In some cases, combining medications gives an individual better control over their symptoms. As long as you prioritize the treatment of dementia, it’s okay to make changes to your loved one’s care plan.
Comprehensive Treatment of Dementia at Catered Living in Ocean Pines
Catered Living at Ocean Pines offers four levels of care:
Our memory care program combines medical monitoring with an emphasis on physical, mental and spiritual health, ensuring residents in every stage of dementia receive unparalleled support. We also have certified staff members who’ve completed advanced training in dementia care, so you never have to worry about who’s caring for your loved one.
Seniors with dementia may experience problems with balance and mobility, putting them at an increased risk of serious injuries. Catered Living at Ocean Pines has several features designed to keep residents safe, including bathroom grab bars, built-in shower benches and emergency alarms.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia at home, our respite care program is designed to give you a break from the challenges of caregiving. When you arrange for respite care, you can rest easy knowing your loved one is staying in a safe, comfortable environment while you address your personal needs.
Individualized Dementia Treatment Options for Every Stage
Dementia progresses through three stages: early, middle and late. In the early stage of dementia, your loved one may continue working or participating in social activities. However, they may have trouble remembering names, keeping track of objects or performing familiar tasks. During this stage, treatment focuses on managing mild symptoms and preventing progression of the disease.
In middle-stage dementia, an individual’s symptoms become more pronounced. Your loved one may forget important events, withdraw from social activities, experience confusion or have trouble remembering basic information about themselves. During this stage, treatment evolves to address new symptoms and prevent the condition from progressing.
Late-stage dementia causes severe symptoms, limiting a person’s ability to respond to their environment. Individuals in this stage of dementia typically have difficulty moving and communicating, so late dementia treatment focuses on addressing new symptoms and keeping residents comfortable.
Catered Living at Ocean Pines offers personalized dementia care, so we tailor everything we do to your loved one’s specific needs. For example, we offer medication management and group activities to help residents stay on track with their treatment plans.
Beyond Medication: Holistic Approaches to Dementia Treatments
The symptoms of dementia make it difficult to perform ordinary activities. An individual may have to give up their job or move out of their home, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. The best dementia care plans address a resident’s physical, emotional and social well-being.
Catered Living at Ocean Pines offers social programs and engaging activities, giving residents the chance to interact while stimulating their minds. Each activity is tailored to the resident’s needs and interests to ensure it’s an appropriate addition to their treatment plan.
Treatment Options for Dementia: How Catered Living Stands Out
Catered Living at Ocean Pines doesn’t just address the physical aspects of dementia. We offer a holistic treatment program, ensuring your loved one also receives social and psychological support.
Holistic treatment addresses the whole person, making residents with dementia feel respected and valued. Our approach also helps individuals with dementia live fulfilling lives.
Planning Ahead: How to Choose the Right Treatment for Dementia
When it comes to dementia care, there’s no one-size-fits-all plan that works for everyone. Your first priority should be finding a community that offers personalized care. A personalized treatment program addresses the individual’s unique needs, making treatment more effective.
It’s also important to find a community close enough to visit regularly. Catered Living’s convenient location in Worcester County makes it easily accessible to families in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Annapolis, Wilmington, Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C. Visiting your loved one regularly is a great way to help them remember important people and events.
When it’s time to select a medication for dementia, consult with your loved one’s health care provider. A doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant should be able to explain the benefits and potential risks of each medication, ensuring you understand your options.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Dementia Care? Let Catered Living Guide You
With personalized care, it’s possible for seniors with dementia to live extremely fulfilling lives. Professional care also reduces the risk of injury and ensures your loved one has plenty of opportunities to socialize with other people.
To learn more about Catered Living at Ocean Pines and its memory care program, call (410) 208-1000 to schedule a tour.
