Alzheimer's treatment - Results of surveys are depressing

THE results of two surveys on the quality of treatment for Alzheimer patients make for depressing reading, not least of which is that the majority of doctors questioned are concerned about current practices in place.

The surveys of doctors and another among society generally were commissioned by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, also revealed that 70% of people know little or nothing about it.

Two thirds of doctors surveyed expressed concern about the treatment available for the illness and called for more resources, including more acute hospital beds, to be made available. Among the suggestions made was that more resources be provided to treat patients at home, especially in the early stages.

Generally speaking, it would be more preferable, where practical, to treat people at home for their illness, but anybody familiar with Alzheimer’s knows only too well how difficult that is. One of the greatest difficulties in that regard is the lack of respite care which would make the burden of looking after family members in their own home easier to bear.

The problem is compounded by the fact that only about 20% of patients are presenting early for diagnosis, so consequently the majority are at an advanced stage of the illness by the time it is detected.

Despite the fact that Alzheimer dementia has increased by 6% in the last three years, there is still a stigma attached to it, which can only be overcome by a more open and educational attitude to it.