Many families providing Waterloo home care for their senior loved ones are looking for alternatives to traditional medicine to help with Alzheimer’s treatment. Some alternative treatments may help alleviate and even reverse some of the symptoms associated with this disease. Here are a few options you may want to try for your loved one.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Research by the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study linked high doses of omega-3 fatty acids to a possible decrease in the chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce Alzheimer’s risk because they benefit the heart and blood vessels, have anti-inflammatory properties, and protect the nerve cell membranes, also known as the communication centers of the brain. If your loved one has already begun to develop Alzheimer’s and takes omega-3 fatty acids, it may slow down the progression of the disease.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative treatment that consists of using fine needles placed in a variety of specific points throughout the body. Researchers from Wellesley College did a study that revealed acupuncture could help promote quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s by making them less anxious and depressed. Getting acupuncture can positively impact your loved one’s mood and enhance his or her verbal and motor skills and cognitive function.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a plant extract with several compounds and anti-inflammatory properties known to have a positive effect on brain cells. It can help stimulate and activate nerve cells while protecting them from being further damaged. Taking this supplement may help increase your loved one’s memory, cognitive mental processes, and brain function.
Aromatherapy
Specific aromatherapy oils used especially for massages could positively affect your loved one’s behavior, mood, and cognitive functioning. Lemon balm and lavender oils have been found to have a soothing effect on seniors with Alzheimer’s, especially those who are easily agitated. Other oils like rosemary could also stimulate your loved one’s senses and help him or her sleep better.
Many seniors receiving Waterloo Alzheimer’s care can use these alternative treatments alongside traditional medication. However, before your loved one tries any of these treatments, it’s best to consult with his or her doctor first.
If your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, he or she may also benefit from some additional assistance at home. For Alzheimer’s and dementia care Waterloo families trust, turn to Home Care Assistance. All of our caregivers are trained in the revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method, an activities-based program specifically designed to help slow cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. For more information on our senior care services, call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers at (519) 954-2111 to schedule a free in-home consultation.