Whilst cognitive function can be improved by the medicines currently available for the treatment of dementias, the positive effects of improved socialibility, initiative and motivation on the patient and their carer as well as their capability of coping with everyday life should not be overlooked says a research report published by the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust (the Trust). The report suggests that care for people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia needs to be more holistic in its approach and that the assessment tools used for treatment options are not sensitive enough.
Denise Taylor, Senior Teaching Fellow, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of Bath explored patient and carer perspectives over time of the use of medicines for dementia and their impact on coping with day-to-day life. The research showed that the wider improvement in personality achieved by the medicines for dementia such as improved social skills, orientation and initiative which positively affected personal and wider relationships outweighed the improvements in memory.
The study, commissioned by the Trust and supported by a Galen Award, also identified a need for improved information for carers about how a dementia can affect an individual and the changed behaviours that can result. "Carers need to know that these are part of the disease and not a deliberate action on the part of the person with dementia" says Ms Taylor.
The research emphasises the extent to which medication is often not an option for people in early to mid stages of dementia and how important support is for these patients and their carers.