Although there’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, many people living with the condition can manage symptoms and improve their quality of life through a combination of medications, supportive care, and lifestyle strategies.

The symptoms and severity of Alzheimer’s disease can vary widely from person to person. There’s no standard treatment for this condition. Your doctor will recommend an Alzheimer’s treatment plan based on several factors, including:

• How long it’s been since your Alzheimer’s diagnosis
• Your symptoms and how severe they are
• The stage of Alzheimer’s
• How well you tolerate medications
• Your age
• Any other health conditions you have
• Other prescription or over-the-counter medications you take

Medications are designed to target the underlying brain changes that cause Alzheimer’s, while others focus on managing symptoms of the condition, like memory loss, confusion, or behavior changes.

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

1. Treat Alzheimer’s Underlying Cause

Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused, in part, by the abnormal buildup of proteins in the brain. These protein clumps are known as beta-amyloid plaques and 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:

• Donanemab-azbt (Kisunla)
• Lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi)

A third beta-amyloid therapy, aducanumab, was approved in 2021 but was withdrawn by its manufacturer in 2024 to focus on other Alzheimer’s treatments.

Lecanemab-irmb received approval in 2023, and donanemab-azbt received approval in 2024. These lab-made antibody, or protein, drugs remove beta-amyloid to treat early-stage Alzheimer’s and slow disease progression.

Lecanemab-irmb, and donanemab-azbt are given as intravenous (IV) injections. Potential side effects include:

• Headache
• Increased risk of falls
• Allergic reactions
• Brain swelling or small areas of bleeding, which are usually temporary but can be serious

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 several cholinesterase inhibitors, including:

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

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.

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

Common symptoms of these drugs include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea

3. Manage Behavioral Changes

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, people living with the condition — and their loved ones — may notice emotional and behavioral changes. Feelings of anxiety and depression are common. Other changes in behavior can also occur, including:

• Aggression or irritability
• Wandering or becoming disoriented
• Restlessness at night
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

These behaviors can sometimes pose safety risks and may be distressing — both for the person with Alzheimer’s and for those who care for them. Caregivers may feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained, especially as these symptoms become more frequent or intense.

Nondrug Strategies

Many people first try nonmedication strategies before turning to prescription treatments. This is because some medications can cause side effects that may make Alzheimer’s symptoms worse.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s often means being extra observant. Notice their behaviors — sometimes what looks like confusion or agitation may actually be a reaction to pain, hunger, or thirst.

If you’re a caregiver, the following nondrug strategies may help reduce distressing behaviors and support emotional well-being:

• Encourage daily physical activity, such as walking or gentle stretching.
• Use night-lights to reduce confusion and lower the risk of falls in the dark.
• Offer a comforting item, like a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or soft pillow.
• Stick to a consistent daily routine for meals, activities, and bedtime.
• Create a calm environment by reducing background noise and sudden changes.
• Redirect attention gently if your loved one becomes fixated on something upsetting.
• Avoid arguments or confrontation — instead, offer reassurance or a distraction.

Always let your loved one’s doctor know about any new or changing behaviors. Sometimes, these changes may be caused by a treatable medical issue, such as an infection or a medication side effect.

Medication Options

If nonmedication strategies aren’t effective, medications may help manage specific symptoms like sleep disturbances, aggression, or mood changes. Always talk with your loved one’s doctor or healthcare team about potential side effects and the risks and benefits of each treatment. Together, you can decide which medications may offer the most relief with the fewest risks.

Antidepressants

Doctors may prescribe antidepressants off-label — meaning for a purpose other than their official FDA-approved use — to help manage depression, anxiety, and some behavioral symptoms in people with Alzheimer’s. Common examples include:

• Citalopram
• Trazodone
• Sertraline

Side effects vary but may include:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Weight gain

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotic medications may be used for people experiencing severe agitation, aggression, or psychosis (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there).

The FDA approved brexpiprazole (Rexulti) in 2023 for treating agitation related to Alzheimer’s disease. It works by helping rebalance chemical messengers like serotonin and dopamine.

Common side effects of brexpiprazole include:

• Weight gain
• Restlessness
• Sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Coldlike symptoms

Other antipsychotics can be prescribed off-label. Examples include quetiapine, risperidone, and aripiprazole.

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. That’s why it’s especially important to work closely with a dementia specialist or geriatric psychiatrist if these medications are used.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are sedatives sometimes used to treat short-term agitation in Alzheimer’s disease. Your loved one’s doctor may prescribe lorazepam or clonazepam.

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 difficulties in people with Alzheimer’s. Doctors prescribe these medications with caution because they can cause unwanted side effects. Suvorexant is FDA-approved to treat insomnia and has been studied in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Side effects may include sleep paralysis, impaired coordination, unusual dreams, or worsening depression.

All sleep medications can carry risks for people with Alzheimer’s disease, including confusion and falls. Doctors often avoid certain sleep aids for this reason — especially “Z-drugs” like:

• Eszopiclone
• Zaleplon
• Zolpidem

Although suvorexant has been studied in people with Alzheimer’s, it still carries similar risks and should be used with caution under a doctor’s guidance.

4. Design a Doable Exercise Plan

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

You don’t need to go to a gym or play sports to stay active. Choose activities that gently raise the heart rate, like brisk walking, dancing, or gardening. For more ideas, ask your doctor about ability-appropriate activities.

If you’re unsure where to start, ask your doctor or a physical therapist about exercises that match your or your loved one’s ability level.

5. Aim for Healthy, Stress-Free Meals

Eating well is important for everyone — and especially for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. A nutritious diet supports brain and body health, while poor nutrition can lead to unintended weight loss, dehydration, or worsening behavioral symptoms. There’s no specific “Alzheimer’s diet,” but doctors often recommend a balanced mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins.

As Alzheimer’s progresses, eating may become more challenging. People may experience:

• Trouble recognizing food as memory and thinking abilities decline
• Loss of appetite, which can be caused by medication side effects, lack of physical activity, or depression
• Difficulty focusing during meals due to distractions, noise, or a busy environment

To help, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends:

• Serving meals in a quiet, calm setting
• Allowing extra time to eat without rushing
• Offering one food item at a time, which may help reduce overwhelm or agitation

Read more about ways to help a loved one with Alzheimer’s eat better.

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 U.S. government website that provides the latest information on Alzheimer’s clinical trials. Talk to your healthcare provider about new studies you or your loved one 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 86,000 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? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.