Diagnosing Lewy Body Dementia is Tricky But Vital

DIAGNOSIS: 50% of people with Lewy Body Dementia said they were originally misdiagnosed with a type of dementia such as Alzheimer's. Find out how LBD is exquisitely sensitive to certain medications, and why an early, accurate diagnosis is critical.

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Hallucinations in Dementia - What's Really Going On?

VIDEO - DIAGNOSIS+CARE:

Misperceptions triggered by dementia are often misdiagnosed as hallucinations. The result? Unnecessary, harsh antipsychotic treatments. Dr. G. Allen Power has fought over-medication for more than a decade. See Dr. Power's practical techniques for rising above this dangerous practice.

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Best Time to Stop Medicine for Dementia

MEDICATION VIDEO:

How do you know when Alzheimer's meds ought to be stopped? Explore the benefits of these medications, such as improved cognition, memory, behavior, lifespan, and the stages they are most effective.

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Antibiotics Weaken Alzheimer's

DRUGS: Long-term antibiotic treatment decreased Alzheimer's-causing plaques in the lab. It also helped the brain fight inflammation by enhancing the neuroinflammatory activity of microglial cells. Learn how.

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Old Doctors, Old Drugs?

Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax and other benzodiazepines are dementia risks. Approved in the 1960s, doctors still prescribe them. Patients still ask for them, even for ailments with newer, safer, more effective treatments. Get the facts and get better treatment.

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How to Manage Dementia's Hallucinations without Drugs

DEMENTIA WITH LEWY BODIES VIDEO:

Hallucinations in dementia often pose bigger challenges than memory and cognitive problems. Watch these smart caregiver strategies from the University of Texas.

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Antidepressants, Antihistamines & Dementia

MEDICATION VIDEO + ARTICLE:

From allergies to moods, most of us get relief from drugs known as "anticholinergics". Some raise dementia risk, some don't. Do we always need them? A study of 300,000 people offers answers to help you and your doctor better weigh the risks and benefits.

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Pharmacists Uniquely Positioned to Assist with Dementia Medications

HELP FROM THE PHARMACY:

• Study reveals patients need help managing drugs
• Community pharmacists could be used more to support patients and carers
• Assisting carers reduces error and anxiety

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Dementia Warning for Pain & Sleep Drugs

COMMONLY PRESCRIBED medications for pain and sleep were linked to a rise in harmful side effects in dementia. Check out the latest research.

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Alzheimer's Agitation: Citalopram May Help

MEDICATION & TREATMENT VIDEO:

Agitation is one of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s. See why citalopram may be effective in alleviating Alzheimer's agitation and aggression.

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Beware of Common Anticholinergic Drugs

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT:

MEMORY & THINKING are activated by acetyl-choline. Alzheimer's drugs boost acetyl-choline. Other medications, from allergy to insomnia drugs, may be anti-cholinergic, lowering acetyl-choline. This can spell trouble in dementia. Learn which drugs to avoid and what to look out for.

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Alzheimer's Agitation Reduced by Dextromethorphan-Quinidine Pill

MEDICATION & MOOD:

Aggression and agitation are hard challenges in dementia. An important study may offer some simple answers.

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Antipsychotics Drop 20% If Focus is on What Dementia Residents CAN Do

DRUGS: 100 care facilities saw a significant drop in antipsychotics for dementia when staff were trained to focus on "treating the residents as human beings with needs, not as patients with problems." Find out more about this study, one of the largest of its kind, ever.

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Will BRAVYL Reduce "Wandering" in Advanced Clinical Trials?

Woolsey Pharmaceuticals on Feb. 18, 2021 announced the launch of a Phase 2 CNS study of a medication intended to reduce wandering in dementia patients. Learn more.

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Changing Medication Dosage Due to Alzheimer's

People with Alzheimer's are often prescribed drugs for other conditions -- including diabetes or high blood pressure -- at the same doses as those without dementia. That practice might need to be reexamined.

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“Just say no” to Behavior-calming Drugs for Alzheimer's

BEHAVIOR DRUGS & THE DICE MODEL:

Doctors write millions of prescriptions each year to calm people with Alzheimer’s. Learn how non-drug dementia-caregiving works better, while carrying far fewer risks.

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Is It Alzheimer's or a Bad Mix of Medicine?

MISDIAGNOSING DEMENTIA - VIDEO:

85-year-old Betty Wallwork was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. But it wasn't true. Using Google and a little detective work, she got to the bottom of her confusion, anxiety and aggression. Then she got her driver's license back. Check out this classic case of misdiagnosed Alzheimer's.

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Suvorexant Improves Sleep in Alzheimer's

AlzForum reports new Alzheimer's results for FDA-Approved insomnia drug suvorexant (Belsomra®). Half of people with Alzheimer's don't sleep well, exacerbating a variety of problems. Learn about this drug's effectiveness and safety in dementia.

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Prevent Falls in Parkinson's with Rivastigmine for Dementia

VIDEO + ARTICLE:

People with Parkinson's were given the oral drug rivastigmine (brand name Exelon®). They were 45% less likely to fall and were considerably steadier when walking. Learn more about this dementia drug and fall prevention.

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Caregivers Delight: 31-Day Pill Organizer

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK:

Caregivers love this pill box, as do patients and professionals. Simply fill it once a month. Caregivers need only know the month and day. Relieves the worry of over or under medication. Roomy, simple, ingenious. Green means "go" (pillbox ready), red means "empty". 31 days, 4 times-a-day. Sturdy day-boxes even make day-trips and travel easy.

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