Agitation in Alzheimer's: strategies for treatment adherence

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes progressive damage to the brain. People who have Alzheimer’s disease experience problems with memory, thinking, behavior, emotions, communication, and other aspects of daily functioning. Symptoms and the severity of symptoms will vary from person to person.

Agitation is one of the most common behavioral and emotional symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. A person experiencing agitation may exhibit symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and/or aggression.

Treatment for Alzheimer’s and agitation

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. There are medications that can help reduce and control symptoms, which can help a person with Alzheimer’s disease have a better quality of life for a longer period of time. Research and development for new treatments is ongoing.

Managing behavioral and emotional symptoms like agitation is another important focus of treatment for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Managing agitation can include strategies like creating calm environments, following routines, maintaining comfort, and participating in engaging activities. It can also include medication.

Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and agitation will also need to work alongside an overall plan for managing health, including other health conditions. Many people with Alzheimer’s disease have co-existing health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

It has been said before but is always worth emphasizing—everyone’s health is different, and your best source of information will be a healthcare provider.

Managing multiple medications

Alzheimer’s disease most often occurs in older adults (though it can and does occur at younger ages). Older adults often take multiple prescription medications to manage health conditions, and people who are living with Alzheimer’s disease are often prescribed multiple medications to manage the condition.

If you or a loved one is taking medications to manage Alzheimer’s disease, agitation, and/or other health conditions, the strategies below can be helpful:

Work with your healthcare providers

• Have clear instructions from your healthcare provider for taking each medication, including what times each medication needs to be taken and any other instructions (such as taking a medication with or without food).
• If you have any questions or concerns about a medication, ask your healthcare provider. Your pharmacist is also a great source of information.

Stay organized

• Use a pill organizer, which organizes pills into individual doses labeled with the days of the week. Set a reminder to refill the pill box at the same time each week.
• Write down the daily and weekly medication schedule in detail. Keep this schedule in a place where you will see it often. If you are living with Alzheimer’s disease, this can help you ask others for help if you need it. If you are a caregiver, this can be useful if you’re asking someone else to share caregiving responsibilities.
• Store your medications in the same place, and keep that space organized.

Reminders and routines

• Set alarms and reminders on your phone. Some pharmacy apps also allow you to set reminders.
• Have a backup reminder. For example, if you are using an alarm, also leave a note or some other visual reminder in a place where it will be difficult to miss.
• Make taking medications part of a daily routine, such as brushing your teeth.

Plan ahead

• Plan for unplanned interruptions. Have doses of a medication with you if you will be out of the house and may not be home in time to take a medication.
• Plan ahead if you know you are going to be traveling. Pack enough doses of each medication, have a copy of your schedule, medical information, and emergency contacts.

Last but not least, if you or a loved one is having difficulty taking medications for any reason, talk to your healthcare provider, and ask for help.