Welcome back to the Clinical Corner, everyone!
Last we spoke, we talked about some of the common difficulties associated with aging – specifically, aging and Incontinence. This time, I’d like to talk about a familiar challenge that affects so many aging adults and seniors – the challenge of living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Memory loss casts a long shadow – from the individual it touches to the loved ones who support them. As modern research and technology brings us closer to finding a cure, we can look towards other solutions that allow us to treat the disease where we cannot yet eliminate it.
Several years ago, a drug called Aricept was developed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. And while it’s not an end-all cure, it’s an incredible treatment that can positively impact 6.5 million Americans who are currently living with the disease.
In January of 2023, the world was introduced to Leqembi. Before the drug was approved, a study was conducted that determined those who took Leqembi showed a significant reduction in brain amyloid plaque – a key indicator of Alzheimer’s and dementia-related prognoses. In fact, research suggests that if plaque can be reduced, we might just be well on our way to finding a cure.
Donanemab by Eli Lily is another exciting study that is showing even better results. An individual would only have to take this medication for a period of time – not for the rest of their life – to see effective results. That’s why we’ve partnered with Care Access to participate in the final part of the trial – offering treatments to some of our residents in the Lima, Ohio area. If the trial continues to show promise, we expect to see FDA approval by the end of the year. Just imagine – having the ability to get our blood tested to see if we have the markers for dementia, then being able to immediately begin receiving treatment to prevent the disease. This could be a massive game changer in the fight against memory loss.
It’s been an honor and pleasure to work with Care Access, who conducts many different studies for a variety of pharmaceutical companies. We look forward to our continued partnership as we seek to make improvements across the healthcare spectrum – and we can’t wait to see what those improvements will look like for our residents!
Until we talk next month!
Sincerely,
-Rhonda Dempsey
Chief Nursing Officer