June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. For pharmacists, working with the caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients can be an important way to ensure that medicines are taken safely and correctly. With more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and 1 in 3 seniors dying with Alzheimer’s or another dementia,1 this is a disease that requires a team effort to fight.
Pharmacists can direct caregivers to an article by The National Institute on Aging (NIA), Managing Medications for a Person with Alzheimer’s. The article provides a list of questions that pharmacists can review with the patient’s caregiver and a summary on using medications safely.
The NIA also provides access to free clinical practice tools, cognitive screening tests, training materials and more that pharmacists can access under Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resources for Professionals.
The Alzheimer’s Association is another source for health systems and clinicians to access diagnostic and management tools and materials for patients and caregivers.
For more information on developing a care plan, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Caregiving section on Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging.
1“Facts and Figures.” Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/managing-medicines-person-alzheimers
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-dementia-resources-for-professionals
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/caregiving/index.htm
https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-clinicians