It's important to work closely with your doctor and other members of your health care team to create the best treatment plan for you or the person in your care. Your treatment goals are likely to change during your journey with Alzheimer's disease. Make sure you understand all the available options and the benefits and risks of each choice as your treatment plan evolves.
Choosing a doctor
If memory or thinking issues start impacting daily life, consulting a doctor is crucial. Learn about the types of doctors who can evaluate memory and thinking problems, and find one nearby to start the conversation.
Download
If you do not currently have a doctor, the Alzheimer's Association has resources to help you find one. Search Community Resource Finder for doctors near you or call our free 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900).
An optimal treatment plan will take into account your:
- Age and overall health.
- Current treatment goals.
- Severity of symptoms and their impact on your life.
- Living situation and availability of family members and caregivers.
Ask the doctor the following questions when you discuss treatments. These questions will not address all treatment needs, but the answers will help you understand the options and make informed decisions.
- What treatment options are available?
- Am I eligible for one of the medications that changes disease progression?
- Will my treatment be covered by insurance? If not, what are my options?
- What is the benefit I might receive from this drug? How would that change my daily life?
- Which symptoms are being targeted by each medication?
- How will the effectiveness of each treatment be measured?
- How much time will pass before you will be able to assess the treatment's effectiveness?
- How likely are side effects? How will you monitor for them?
- What side effects should we watch for at home?
- If I do experience side effects, will I need to stop taking the drug?
- When should we call you?
- Is one treatment option more likely than another to interfere with medications for other conditions?
- What are the concerns with stopping one drug treatment and beginning another?
- At what stage of the disease would you consider it appropriate to stop using the drug?