What are the treatments for dementia?

Question

Medication?
Mental health therapy?
Other occupational therapy?
How can relatives assist the person to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible?

The Dr. prescribed some medication for dementia last week. I do not know what it was.

Answer 1

My grandmother suffers from dementia and she is given the anti-psychotic Risperdal (Risperidone). It keeps her from having delusions/hallucinations and keeps her a bit more calm. She was also given Aricept (aka 'Donepezil', usually used for Alzheimer's patients to slow the disease) but she had a horrible reaction to it.

As for other treatments, I have no idea what they could be. My grandmother is not exactly capable of participating in much of anything anymore. She also happens to now be bedridden.

My mother made daily visits to my grandmothers house while she was suffering from dementia but it became overwhelming and my grandmother became a danger to herself. She kept wandering into the street saying she was waiting for a ride, things like that. She also began tearing up important documents and old family photos. She thought people were in the house with her and she kept trying to escape them. We finally made the decision to put her in an assisted living facility since she needs 24 hour supervision.

Good luck with your situation.

Answer 2

I am not sure that there are meds for dementia.