The Use of Alternative (Non-Pharmacological) Therapies to Manage Dementia by Tanya Hasvold, RN

What Are Alternative Therapies?

Alternative therapies are non-pharmacological treatments used to promote a person’s well-being and treat or prevent illness. Since there is no cure for dementia, the main goal of using alternative therapies is make the symptoms manageable for the patient by treating and reducing the underlying side effects. These methods are referred to as “non-conventional medicine”. More and more people are finding that medications are not adequately treating the symptoms of dementia and instead are turning to alternative therapies such as dietary supplements, herbs, music therapy, aromatherapy, pet therapy, massage, and many others. As of 2008, approximately 38% of adults in America and approximately 12% of children were using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a means of treating various ailments. 

Why Choose Alternative therapies?

There are many challenging and terrible side effects that occur with dementia. These symptoms change and worsen as the condition progresses. The best way to treat this problem is to assess the individual’s specific symptoms and finding the alternative therapy that would best benefit the patient. Because every person and every case is different, each patient will need different therapies and have different results and outcomes. Treatment can include things like improving memory through positive interaction or promoting relaxation through healthy activities and outlets.

What Are the Pros & Cons of Alternative Therapy?

Pros:

·        Generally non-invasive

·        Rarely cause dangerous or lasting side effects

·        A natural approach to managing symptoms of dementia

Cons:

·        Little research has been done that supports the effectiveness and benefits

·        Supplements can react dangerously with current medications

·        Due to limited research, the risks and safety is not well understood

Alternative therapies have not been often used previously because of the minimal amount of research done on their effectiveness. No research statistics could be found to verify the benefits of CAM. Current research is being done on alternative therapies for dementia, but it is important to talk to the patient’s doctor before starting any alternative therapies. Your physician will be able to better assess what is the best option and be able to recommend the best alternative treatment. It is also important to continue to get check-ups from your health care provider to see if the methods are effective or need to be changed due to any negative problems or non-therapeutic results. There is still much to learn about the benefits of alternative therapies.

References

1. Kelley, B. J., & Knopman, D. S. (2008). Alternative Medicine and Alzheimer’s Disease. The Neurologist, 14(5), 299–306. doi:10.1097/NRL.0b013e318172cf4d

2. Alzheimer's Society. (2014). Complementary and alternative therapies. Retrieved from http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=134

3. Posadzki, P., Ernst, E., & Lee, M. S. (2012). Complementary and alternative medicine for Alzheimer's disease: an overview of systematic reviews. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 14(4), 186-191. doi:10.1111/fct.12001

4. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (2015). The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States. Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov/research/statistics/2007/camsurvey_fs1.htm