Alzheimer's disease--Continue

                                                       Treatment Options 
MEDICATIONS
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Cholinesterase inhibitors                                     Most effective at early stage of disease.
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 Procedures
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 Counselling                                                         Help patients cope with trauma and loss
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Physical therapies                                                 Improve mobility, speech, daily function

 NATURAL METHODS
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 Herbs                                                                    Ginkgo biloba and huperzine A.

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Vitamins                                                                 Antioxidants help protect brain cells.

TAKING CONTROL

Tips for careers to help improve daily life include:

• Simple surroundings.
• Excessive distractions can be stressful. Create soothing routines. And limit choices, such as what to ear or wear.
• Redirect attention rather than arguing if an Alzheimer's sufferer becomes irrational or upset.
• Install gates and safety locks to prevent wandering and limit hazards
• Talk, Touch, Watch old home movies. These activities are comforting for many people with Alzheimer's.
• Communicate clearly. Some people get confused because they don't recognise emotions. So be calm, use short statements, and offer visual and verbal clues, varying your tone and expressions.

> NEW VACCINES SHOW PROMISE. One tested in mice, called m266, restored memory after a single injection. It is several years away from human testing.

ProceduresCounselling can usually help Alzheimer's patients come to terms with the losses they are experiencing and help them cope with depression and anxiety. They may also benefit from occupational therapy, which provides tips and cues for remembering daily living skill such as getting dressed and staying clean. Physiotherapy helps patients stay mobile, and speech therapy improves communication. Aged-care assessment teams are useful in determining what is needed by an individual patient.

Natural methods
Used at an early stage, ginkgo biloba, derived from an ancient Chinese tree, may improve memory slightly by boosting blood flow to the brain. It appears to be safe, although not as effective as prescription drugs. Like vitamins C and E, the herb may also have antioxidant properties that protect brain cells. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, the moss extract huperzine A is a cholinesterase inhibitor, similar to prescription drugs, and it appears to be as potent. However, like all supplements, preparations are not always standardised and studies are limited. Combining this herb with a prescription drug could be risky, as a potential drug overdose is possible.

Lifestyle changes
keep a notebook. Include in it important information, such as the names and birthdays of grandchildren.
Exercise. A suprised walk several times a day can be calming and reduce the likelihood of wandering. One study  showed it may also improve communication
Limit caffeine. Avoid coffee, tea, colas and other caffeine-containing products, which can use the jitters or sleeplessness.