Given that there is no comprehensive cure for Alzheimer’s Disease and no direct method of diagnosis, Alzheimer’s patients and their (often-caretaking) family members may wonder where they can turn for help. While there are well-funded and advanced cancer centers to help those patients with treatment and even – in some cases – a cure, Alzheimer’s Disease has yet to have the same kind of resources poured into both treatment and research. One of the arguments for increased investment into Alzheimer’s Disease – whether it’s from the government or private investors – is that it lags behind the resources poured into other diseases. With the escalating rise in the numbers of Alzheimer’s cases being fueled by an aging Baby Boomer generation, it is more important than ever for there to be adequate resources available.
What is so troubling about Alzheimer’s is that a patient – and those close to him or her – can feel lost and alone. It’s potentially frightening and troubling for the patient, who may feel confused and abandoned by their own mind, and emotionally painful for their loved ones – who can feel abandoned by the person they used to know. Adding to that a possibility that there aren’t adequate resources to deal with the issue and it can be enormously challenging for anyone facing this disease.
This is not to suggest that there are no resources for Alzheimer’s patients – far from it – though this depends in part on where they may happen to live. As with other unique conditions, specialists are often located in urban centers. Though there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are most certainly a number of Alzheimer’s specialists who are experienced with treating Alzheimer’s patients specifically. Naturally, these specialists may be better prepared to deal with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and be more aware of the newest advances in Alzheimer’s treatment than a general practioner.
Types of Alzheimer’s Specialists
Because Alzheimer’s Disease results in behavioral difficulties, it may be necessary to look beyond a family practitioner (your local MD) to help treat the disease. Here are the four main areas of specialists:
Geriatricians: These are specialists in the treatment of senior citizens, and will be familiar with dementias in general – including Alzheimer’s Disease. However, it is not a given that a geriatrician will have extensive knowledge about Alzheimer’s specifically, so make certain of the geriatrician’s experience when choosing a specialist.
Neurologists: Here you will find those specialist with direct knowledge of how Alzheimer’s affects the brain, and the benefits and limitations of potential treatment.
Psychiatrists: As mentioned, not all Alzheimer’s treatment will necessarily occur within a hospital setting. Because effective Alzheimer’s treatment can involve behavior modification (including, for example, the creation of supportive routines) a psychiatric specialist can be helpful – not only for the patient but to help caretakers cope with the disease, specially if the caretaker is a family member, as is often the case.
Clinical Neuropsychologists: A clinical neuropsychologist is something like a combination of a psychiatrist and a neurologist. Their specialty is often in memory disorders, which is crucial to understanding how Alzheimer’s Disease is progressing. In addition, a neuropsychologist may help treat the symptoms of depression, which are a common result of AD.
Though these are advanced specialists, this does not mean that a patient should stop seeing the family physician. Alzheimer’s treatment is often about creating a comfortable environment for the patient. As mentioned, creating a routine can help a patient complete daily tasks. If a family doctor is a comforting and reassuring presence, this can be useful even if the doctor is not a specialist. Disorientation can aggravate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, so some sense of continuity is also recommended.
That being said, it will be necessary to visit a hospital with equipment that can perform an advanced diagnosis. For instance, an MRI can help reveal the progression of the disease:
Other testing for Alzheimer’s will include:
- Medical history – including family history to determine the hereditary basis for the disease.
- Physical examination – starting with standard tests of heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature.
- Laboratory tests – blood and urine tests, which will measure blood count, liver and thyroid health, glucose levels, cholesterol, and other current indicators of the disease.
- Neuropsychological testing – as mentioned above, a neuropsychologist is an important specialist as he or she will administer tests to determine aptitude with memory, problem solving, hand-eye coordination, and similar tests.
- Brain scan – as shown above, an MRI can be useful, though it is not yet definitive to diagnosis dementia as Alzheimer’s-related, rather than another degenerative condition.
Where to Find an Alzheimer’s Specialist
The process of finding an Alzheimer’s specialist will likely begin with your family physician, who may be able to recommend a qualified Alzheimer’s specialist. As with any doctor, it is a good idea to get referrals from friends and family who may know about potential specialists. Depending on the size of town or city where you live, there may be a large number of choices, or comparatively few. In some cases it may be necessary to travel.
Look here for further information about contacting a specialist: Choosing a Doctor from the National Institute on http://blog.bioasis.ca/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=1807&message=1Aging.
Once diagnosis is complete, the main person in charge of caretaking may be a family member or a nurse – often in a geriatric care facility. This is the person who will spend most of the time with the patient so as much care should be put into choosing the caretaker as choosing the specialist. Once again, referrals are very helpful. Just as with a specialist, you should look for a caretaker who has experience with looking after Alzheimer’s patients in the past.
Caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s takes patience and knowledge about the symptoms of the disease, so Alzheimer’s-related experience is an important credential. This is in part why the disease is so difficult on family members, as they may have no prior experience dealing with the disease. Even if a family member is taking on many of the caretaking duties, some supplemental help from a professional is recommended.
