Although there’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, many people with the condition can improve their symptoms and quality of life with effective disease management.

The symptoms and severity of Alzheimer’s disease can vary widely between individuals. There’s no standard treatment for this condition. Your doctor will recommend an Alzheimer’s treatment plan based on several factors. These details include how long you’ve had your Alzheimer’s diagnosis, as well as your:

• Symptoms and their severity
• Stage of Alzheimer’s
• Tolerance of medication side effects
• Age
• Other health conditions
• Other prescription medications

There are now more treatments for Alzheimer’s than ever. Some medications treat the underlying causes of the condition, while other strategies help address the symptoms.

Read on to learn more about six ways to help manage Alzheimer’s disease.

1. Treat Alzheimer’s Underlying Cause

Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by an abnormal buildup of proteins in the brain. Known as beta-amyloid plaques, these protein clumps interfere with how neurons (brain cells) communicate. Researchers have developed drugs that remove amyloid plaques to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two beta-amyloid therapies for treating the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Aducanumab (Aduhelm) was approved in 2021, and lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi) received approval in 2023. These lab-made antibody, or protein, drugs remove beta-amyloid to treat early-stage Alzheimer’s and slow disease progression.

Aducanumab and lecanemab are given as intravenous (IV) injections. Potential side effects include headache, increased fall risk, allergic reaction, and bleeding or temporary swelling in the brain.

The company that makes aducanumab plans to stop making the drug in 2024. Your doctor can offer other treatment options if you’re currently taking this medication.

2. Address Dementia Symptoms

The FDA has approved five medications to treat dementia (cognitive decline and memory loss) in Alzheimer’s disease.

Cholinesterase inhibitors are commonly prescribed to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s symptoms. They help increase the amount of acetylcholine in the brain. This chemical messenger helps neurons talk to each other. Acetylcholine is also important for learning and memory. The FDA has approved three cholinesterase inhibitors:

• Donepezil (Aricept)
• Galantamine (Razadyne)
• Rivastigmine (Exelon)

Memantine (Namenda) is a medication known as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. It helps regulate the neurotransmitter glutamate. If you have too much glutamate, it may cause brain cell death.

Since donepezil and memantine work in different ways, doctors can prescribe them together. A combination of donepezil/memantine (Namzaric) may be used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Common symptoms of these five drugs include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.

3. Manage Behavioral Changes

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, you or your loved one may experience anxiety and depression. Behavioral changes, including the following, can also develop:

• Aggression
• Wandering
• Nighttime restlessness
• Trouble falling and staying asleep

These behaviors can be dangerous to the person with Alzheimer’s. They may also be burdensome for caretakers.

Nondrug Strategies

Many people first try nondrug strategies before switching to medications. This is because many treatments can cause side effects that make Alzheimer’s symptoms worse.

Looking after a loved one with Alzheimer’s may require extra awareness. Pay attention to their habits to see if they’re reacting to pain, hunger, or thirst. If you’re a caregiver, trying nondrug strategies like these may help minimize your loved one’s difficult behaviors:

• Encourage your loved one to get exercise every day.
• Use night lights to help reduce anxiety and prevent falls when it’s dark.
• Offer your loved one a security object, such as a blanket, stuffed animal, or doll.
• Maintain a regular schedule for meals and bedtime.
• Keep the home calm, and reduce distractions, loud noises, and rapid transitions.
• Redirect your loved one’s attention when their current focus is becoming a problem.
• Avoid confrontational situations.

Be sure to tell your loved one’s doctor about any behavioral changes — there may be an underlying medical issue.

Medication Options

If nondrug strategies aren’t working, you might consider trying medication. Several treatments are available to address behavioral problems and help improve sleep. Be sure to discuss any potential side effects with your loved one’s doctor or health care team. Together, you can determine which medications will be best.

Antidepressants

Doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants off-label (outside their approved use) for Alzheimer’s. These medications can help treat depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. Examples include:

• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Trazodone
• Sertraline (Zoloft)

Antidepressant side effects differ, but the most common include nausea, drowsiness, and weight gain.

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics are prescribed to treat severe agitation, aggression, and psychotic symptoms.

The FDA approved brexpiprazole (Rexulti) in 2023 for treating aggression due to Alzheimer’s disease. This medication helps rebalance chemical messengers in the brain, like serotonin and dopamine. Side effects of brexpiprazole include:

• Weight gain
• Restless
• Sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Coldlike symptoms

Other antipsychotics can be prescribed off-label. Examples include:

• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Aripiprazole (Abilify)

Doctors usually give antipsychotics at low doses for Alzheimer’s disease. Still, they can cause serious side effects, including:

• Slowed movement
• Tremors (shakiness)
• Loss of balance
• Muscle stiffness

Antipsychotics can increase the risk of stroke or death for older people with dementia. It’s very important to work closely with a specialist if these medications are prescribed.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are sedatives that are sometimes prescribed to help with agitation in Alzheimer’s disease. Your loved one’s doctor may prescribe lorazepam (Ativan) or clonazepam (Klonopin).

Benzodiazepines can increase confusion and cause dizziness, raising the risk of falls. The doctor will likely prescribe them only for a short time. Be sure to talk to your loved one’s doctor if you’re concerned about these side effects or your loved one’s safety.

Sleep Aids

Sleep aids are sometimes used to treat sleep problems in those with Alzheimer’s. Doctors prescribe these medications with caution because they can cause unwanted side effects. Suvorexant (Belsomra) is the only FDA-approved insomnia medication for people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. Side effects include sleep paralysis, impaired motor skills, and depression.

Other sleep aids can increase the risk of falls and confusion in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Doctors typically avoid prescribing:

• Zolpidem (Ambien)
• Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
• Zaleplon (Sonata)

4. Design a Doable Exercise Plan

Several studies have found that people with Alzheimer’s can benefit from exercise. Regular physical activity helps keep the heart, joints, and muscles healthy. In addition, researchers have found that physical activity helps older adults maintain muscle strength and balance, lowering the risk of falls.

Regular exercise doesn’t require going to the gym or playing sports. Look for an activity that raises heart rate, like walking. Chair exercises, stationary cycling, and stretching are good options for those with limited mobility. For more ideas, ask your doctor about ability-appropriate activities.

5. Aim for Healthy, Stress-Free Meals

Proper diet and hydration are key to living a healthy life with Alzheimer’s disease. Poor nutrition may lead to weight loss or worsening behavioral problems. There’s no specific diet for Alzheimer’s, but doctors recommend striving for a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Eating can become more difficult for people with Alzheimer’s as their disease progresses. They may struggle with:

• Trouble recognizing the food on their plate as their memory and cognition (ability to think) decline
• Loss of appetite due to medication side effects or a lack of exercise
• Distractions during mealtimes that make it hard to focus on eating

The Alzheimer’s Association suggests serving meals in a quiet setting and allowing plenty of time to eat. People with Alzheimer’s can also get easily overwhelmed. Offering one food item at a time may help manage agitation or avoid indecisiveness.

6. Consider Clinical Trials for New Options

Doctors and researchers continue to look for better ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease. New drugs and procedures need to be tested in large studies known as clinical trials. You may be eligible to join a trial if you meet certain criteria.

Alzheimers.gov is a government website that provides the latest information on Alzheimer’s clinical trials. Talk to your health care provider about new studies you may want to join.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, the social network for people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones, more than 85,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s.

Are you or a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease? Which treatments have helped you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.