Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Treatment Available Online
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Alzheimer's disease and dementia treatment
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Alzheimer's disease and dementia treatment available online today

Request treatment for Alzheimer's disease and dementia online from our trusted, board-certified primary care doctors and find relief from symptoms today. Get a new prescription to treat Alzheimer's disease or refill an existing prescription today.*

PlushCare Content Team
Written by PlushCare Content Team
Stephen Vogel, MD
Medically reviewed by Stephen Vogel, MD
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*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor’s discretion. While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease or dementia, doctors can still provide a medical consultation regarding dementia symptoms. PlushCare doctors cannot diagnose or treat all cases of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms, but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person diagnosis and treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

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Learn about Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Although many people use the terms interchangeably, Alzheimer's disease and dementia have different meanings. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe cognitive decline that affects a person's ability to perform everyday activities on their own.

 

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. As a degenerative brain disease, Alzheimer's disease affects memory and behavior. It is a progressive disease, meaning its symptoms worsen over time.

Alzheimer's disease causes

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disease. It involves changes in the brain, including amyloid plaques or neurofibrillary (tau protein) tangles, that result in the loss of neurons and their connections. This can affect a person's ability to think, remember, and live independently.

 

Alzheimer's research has identified several factors that can increase an individual's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, including:

  • Age

  • Genetic factors

  • Lifestyle factors

  • Environmental factors

Alzheimer's disease symptoms

The most common symptom of Alzheimer's disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting newly learned information. Other behavioral and psychological symptoms of early Alzheimer's include:

  • Forgetting important dates

  • Asking the same questions repeatedly

  • Relying on memory aids, such as reminder notes


As the disease progresses, it can lead to more severe Alzheimer's disease symptoms, such as:

  • Deepening confusion about events, time, and place

  • Suspicions about friends, family, and caregivers

  • Serious memory loss

  • Difficulty speaking, swallowing, and walking

  • Disorientation

  • Mood and behavior problems

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How Alzheimer's disease is treated

There is no cure for dementia or Alzheimer's disease, and treatment often focuses on reducing symptoms.

If you're experiencing moderate to severe Alzheimer's, your doctor may recommend a combination of behavioral treatment and drug therapy. Your treatment may focus on mitigating memory changes, sleep issues, and behavioral changes. Most often, these cases are managed by neurologists and memory-care specialists.

Alzheimer's disease medication

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of medications: medications that change disease progression in Alzheimer's, and medications that temporarily improve the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend the following Alzheimer's medications:

Glutamate regulators

Such as Memantine (Namenda®), improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform everyday tasks.

Cholinesterase inhibitor drugs

Such as Aricept®, treat cognitive symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, and other thought processes. These drugs also help nerve cells communicate.

Anti-amyloid antibody intravenous (IV) therapies

Administered by specialists only, these medications such as aducanumab (Aduhelm), may slow disease progression. This treatment may be most effective for people with early Alzheimer's, which has been studied in clinical trials.

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How to prevent Alzheimer's disease and dementia

While there is no way to prevent dementia, it's possible to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease by making healthy lifestyle choices, according to Mayo Clinic. Some ways to lower your risk include:

 

  • Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet

  • Getting 7-8 hours sleep per night

  • Managing hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease

  • Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

  • Maintaining social connections

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When to see a doctor for Alzheimer's treatment

If you or a loved one begin to notice memory changes, behavior problems, or related symptoms, talk to your doctor.

Your doctor will ask questions to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may also recommend physical and neurological testing and lab tests to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Alzheimer's disease treatment FAQs

What does Alzheimer's disease do to the brain?

Alzheimer's disease damages the neurons and neural connections in the brain. This damage often starts in the region of the brain that controls memory, but the process may start years before the first symptoms of cognitive decline.

Who is most at risk for Alzheimer's disease?

Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Most people with Alzheimer's are 65 or older. After age 65, the risk of Alzheimer's doubles every 5 years. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly one-third, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

What kind of treatments are there for Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's treatment typically includes a combination of drug therapy and behavioral interventions. The best treatment will depend on your specific symptoms, disease stage, and medical history.

How is Alzheimer's disease treated early?

Your doctor may prescribe galantamine, rivastigmine, or donepezil—cholinesterase inhibitors that help mitigate cognitive and behavioral symptoms—to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's.

 

3 simple steps to request treatment for Alzheimer's disease today

Related conditions to Alzheimer's disease

Dementia

Dementia is a general term for an impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that disrupts everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia.

Mild cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment causes noticeable cognitive changes. However, mild cognitive impairment does not affect an individual's ability to function.

Traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury results from an impact to the head. It may affect an individual's cognitive functioning, including their learning and thinking skills. Some studies suggest that repeated brain injuries can increase the risk of dementia.

How pricing works

To request Alzheimer's disease and dementia treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.

 

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week
  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team
  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests
  • Free memberships for your family
  • Cancel anytime

Paying with insurance

Membership

$19.99 /month

First month free

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Visits

Copay

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

We accept these insurance plans and many more:

 

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Paying without insurance

Membership

$19.99 /month

First month free

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Visits

$129

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129.
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*If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund. Please note that any medication or lab work costs are not included. Please refer to our refund policy for additional information.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia treatment resources

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PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.