#003: Understand, Manage, and Reduce Medications for Better Alzheimer’s Care

The Alzheimer’s Podcast:
The Right of those with Dementia
to be Free of Medications

Library of Past Episodes

Hello, and welcome to Episode #3, this is Mike Good of Together in This.

Thank you for joining me for another episode of The Alzheimer’s Podcast, where my goal is to empower you to maintain a positive experience, reduce, and eliminate the need for medications, and make your time together with those you care for, the best it can be.

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Show Notes:

Before we start, please understand I am not a medical professional, and you should always consult with the appropriate professional (legal disclaimer.)

Managing medications is at the top of the caregiving responsibilities list. Without proper attention, the consequences can be hazardous to your loved one’s health.

It is a daunting task that includes appointments, filling prescriptions, adherence to medication schedules, observing outcomes, logging pertinent data, investigative research, and communicating with all care partners.

• In this episode, I discuss:
  • The role the caregiver plays in managing medications
  • How to track medications
  • What to track
• The medical professionals who you should consult for better medication management
• The medications which are approved to help treat Alzheimer’s disease
  • Purpose
  • Effectiveness
  • Side effects
• The medications which have not been approved, but are often used to treat behaviors related to Alzheimer’s
  • Purpose
  • Effectiveness
  • Side effects
• Strategies to reduce and eliminate medications usage

Medication management is a vital but often neglected aspect of caring for a person with special and/or unique needs such as dementia.

But with some organization, the proper consultation, and good strategies, medications can be properly managed and the recipient’s quality of life improved.

• My Medicine Record – Medicine record form by the FDA
• Your Medicines and You -19 page booklet by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Consumer Reports Evaluation on the Medications Approved for Alzheimer’s
• Alzheimer’s Medications – A Catch 22?
• Introduction to Alzheimer’s Medications and Off Label Prescriptions
• Antipsychotics Should be a Last Resort in Dementia Care