How You Can Help Fight Alzheimer’s
Dear Caregivers,
Someday, I hope, there will be a way to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s disease. And last July, a singularly important step towards a cure happened: Lecanemab was the first drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's disease. More recently, however, the FDA decided to delay approval of the next drug being considered for approval, known as donanemab. So the reality is that while progress has been made, there is a ways to go towards having effective and safe preventions, treatments and cures for Alzheimer's disease.
But in fact, you and your loved one may be able to help speed along scientific progress through participating in a clinical trial. It's an act of volunteership that I hold in the highest regard. The "citizen scientists" who help in clinical trials are truly helping change the world, and scientists cannot, and will not, advance towards cure if we don't have the help of more individuals and families who are facing Alzheimer's disease.
Clinical trials help scientists test whether a newly developed drug is effective and safe to use. Before any drug is released to be available to the general public, it must be first tested on a smaller group of volunteers, to make sure the drug achieves the outcomes it’s designed to do, and that it is safe to use. Some clinical trials test specific drugs that they hope will counteract the disease, and other trials focus on lifestyle changes that might help manage the disease’s progression.
Helping out by participating in a clinical trial offers several benefits, including:
You and your loved one get a better understanding of the disease
You may get access to cutting-edge treatments and therapies that are not yet available to the general public.
You get continued support from the organization doing the clinical trial, including answering any questions you may have
You have an opportunity to advance medical science and help others, including future generations
There are many research companies that specialize in conducting clinical trials, and they are often looking for volunteers who match the criteria for their studies. At the beginning of the process, you and your loved one will be assessed in terms of your loved one’s medical history, diagnosis, and eligibility to participate. Volunteering for a clinical trial is free to you and your loved one, and you are not obligated to participate even after you get your free assessment.
If you are interested in learning more, ask your Navigator for a referral to a local clinical trial site.
Here is some more information about medications and Alzheimer’s:
Should We Try the Medications for Alzheimer’s Disease?
With any new medication, it is critical to think about the potential benefits as well as the possible side effects. Since there is currently no drug that will cure the illness, the last thing we want to do is reduce the patient’s quality of life with side effects. Here is some guidance.
Medication Management Tips for Caregivers:
Helping your loved one take their medicine correctly is one of the most important tasks of a caregiver. Here are some tips on how to stay on track.
Strategies for Medication Safety:
Medication safety involves two key areas that need to be monitored closely: First, is the medication safe? And second, how difficult is it to add into your daily routine? Here is some advice on how to create the best strategy for your loved one.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
