26 May How Concierge Doctors Manage Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

Posted at 06:21h in Concierge Medicine, Family Medicine, House Calls by Monika

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive, chronic illness that causes memory and thinking issues. This disease affects the part of the brain that is responsible for thought, memory, and language. As the disease worsens, individuals may experience difficulty staying focused, remembering things, and maintaining conversations. Concierge medicine provides a personalized and patient-centered approach to Alzheimer’s care.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Alzheimer’s disease causes changes in the brain which are typically described as plaques and tangles.

These abnormal clumps and bundles of fibers cause the nerve cells in the brain to lose connection, interfering with brain function.

The exact cause of Alzheimer’s isn’t entirely known, but some risk factors can make you more likely to develop the disease.

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s include:

The Role of Concierge Medicine in Rheumatoid Arthritis Management

Concierge medicine is an approach to help patients have more focused care from their doctor. A concierge doctor is more readily available than a standard doctor. They may provide you with 24-hour phone availability as well as same-day appointments. Of course, these services come at a higher cost, but in-home care can be invaluable for patients with chronic illnesses like RA.

Some benefits that RA patients can expect from using a concierge doctor include the following:

A unique and personalized approach to healthcare
Fast access to appointments
Coordinating care with specialists

The stages of Alzheimer’s can be categorized as early, middle, and late.

Early-stage Alzheimer’s occurs when symptoms are mild and hard to notice. A person may occasionally forget some things, but they can still fully function on their own.

In middle-stage Alzheimer’s, symptoms have begun to worsen, and a person may be confused easily and have more erratic behavior. This stage is usually the longest and can last for years.

Late-stage Alzheimer’s is the most severe stage. By this point, a person is usually unable to care for themselves and may require full-time caretaking.

Patients with Alzheimer’s should seek out specialized care as soon as they notice symptoms like memory loss and difficulty completing everyday tasks.

The Role of Concierge Medicine in Alzheimer’s Disease Management

Concierge medicine is a tailored, patient-centered approach to healthcare. Using concierge medicine means having a doctor you can easily reach to answer questions, and more availability to book same-day appointments.

Concierge care is not typically covered by insurance. Instead, services are purchased individually, or monthly payments are made to cover a range of services.

Alzheimer’s patients can greatly benefit from concierge medicine since it can allow them to have personalized care and attention, faster access to their provider, and coordination with specialists. Additionally, since appointments can take place at home or remotely, this greatly simplifies transportation-related logistics to and from appointments at a traditional clinic.

Monitoring Disease Progression with a Concierge Doctor

A concierge doctor can help with monitoring a person’s disease progression by performing regular assessments like cognitive and memory tests. They can also do functional assessments to evaluate how capable a person is of caring for themselves. Concierge doctors can also keep an eye on cognitive and behavioral symptoms and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

Medication Management by a Concierge Doctor

Another benefit of using a concierge doctor to help with the management of Alzheimer’s disease involves medication management.

Concierge doctors can help with assessing a need for medication and prescribing. Common medications that are used for Alzheimer’s patients include:

Cholinesterase inhibitors are commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms by helping prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical closely linked to memory and learning.
Memantine helps to decrease abnormal activity in the brain to help treat Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Concierge doctors evaluate patients on an ongoing basis to ensure that medications are working effectively and causing minimal side effects.

Referrals to Specialists by a Concierge Doctor

There are a variety of different specialists who can help with Alzheimer’s care, including neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists, and occupational and speech therapists.

Your concierge doctor can refer you to any specialists that may be needed for ongoing care. They can also help with coordinating care and communication among providers.

Lifestyle Guidance from a Concierge Doctor

Concierge doctors can also provide Alzheimer’s patients with a variety of lifestyle recommendations to potentially slow disease progression and help with symptom management.

Lifestyle factors that may be recommended include:

Diet recommendations such as brain-healthy foods and proper hydration
Physical activity recommendations that are specific to Alzheimer’s patients with a focus on mobility and balance
Stress management techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation and building a support network

Additional Services Offered by Concierge Doctors

Services offered by concierge doctors are far-reaching. In addition to the above-listed services, concierge doctors can also help with preventative care and screenings, management of disease complications, and in many cases, at-home appointments.

Choosing a Concierge Doctor for Alzheimer’s Disease Management

When choosing a concierge doctor to use for managing Alzheimer’s disease of you or one of your loved ones, some important factors to consider include the following:

Experience and expertise in Alzheimer’s care
Compatibility and communication style
Location and accessibility

By ensuring that you have a doctor who is experienced in treating your disease and whom you feel comfortable with, you can feel empowered as you face your diagnosis and treatment. It is also a great idea to do some of your own research before choosing a doctor and to ask around for recommendations from other patients and doctors.

Conclusion

If you or someone you love is affected by Alzheimer’s disease, then concierge medicine can be a convenient and effective option to help manage symptoms and monitor disease progression. Concierge doctors offer a unique and personalized approach to disease management and care, and many providers offer appointments in the comfort of home.

On-Demand Medical House Calls with Concierge MD

Whether you have a busy schedule, can’t get a timely appointment with your physician, or don’t want to sit in a crowded waiting room, you can skip the clinic and get the medical care you need with on-demand house calls for primary and urgent care services.

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