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Alzheimer's & Dementia
Alzheimer's disease and dementia treatment available online today
Request treatment for Alzheimer's disease and dementia online from our trusted, board-certified doctors and find relief from symptoms today. Get a new prescription to treat Alzheimer's disease or refill an existing prescription today.*
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Manage Alzheimer's symptoms
Same-day appointments to evaluate Alzheimer's symptoms
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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 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 treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
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 symptoms that affect 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 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
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.
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
Such as aducanumab (Aduhelm), change disease progression. This treatment may be most effective for people with early Alzheimer's, which has been studied in clinical trials.
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
Managing hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
Maintaining social connections
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
Step 1
Book an Alzheimer's disease or dementia treatment request appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding Alzheimer's disease and dementia symptoms.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
Pick up a prescription to treat Alzheimer's disease.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
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
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.
Paying with insurance
Membership
$16.99/month
First month free
Visits
Copay
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
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:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$16.99/month
First month free
Visits
$129
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
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Alzheimer's disease and dementia treatment resources
Sources:
PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information
Alzheimer's Association. 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's. Accessed on June 20, 2022. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs
Mayo Clinic. Alzheimer's Disease. Accessed on June 20, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350453
National Institute on Aging. What Causes Alzheimer's Disease? Accessed on June 20, 2022. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-causes-and-risk-factors/what-causes-alzheimers-disease
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.