Treatment

1. Concepts of dementia treatments

Dementia treatments can basically be divided into medical treatments and non-medical treatments. The purpose of treatment depends on the causes of disease onset and symptom control; some patients may need to be hospitalized for a short period of time. Dementia triggered deterioration can be slowed down through healthy lifestyle, social activities, brain exercise and medication.
 

2. Treatment purposes

• Slow down brain degeneration
• Alleviate symptoms
• Maintain the quality of life as much as possible
• Reduce the burden of caregivers

 

3. Relationship between treatment time and patients ability

As the disease progresses, patients with early treatment show notable differences compared with those with later treatments as damages to brain functions are irreversible. Therefore, patients should receive treatment as early as possible to promote effective delay of deterioration.
  Moreover, in case of medical treatment, early treatment with high dosage shows a better control of the disease than that of treatment with low dosage. Even when the disease progresses over time, patients can still experience optimal management throughout the treatment period. Doctors will adjust the dosage to achieve optimal effect depending on the conditions of patients.

Source：
律敦治及鄧肇堅醫院 - 認知障礙症照顧者手冊
香港老人科醫學會 - 認識認知障礙症
*Small G and Bullock R. Defining optimal treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. 2011; 7:177-84.