THE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS AND MEMANTINE ON CAREGIVER BURDEN IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA
THE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS AND MEMANTINE ON CAREGIVER BURDEN IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA

Summary/Abstract: Dementia affects 50 million people worldwide, but we also have to consider their families and caregivers. An appropriate management of dementia makes sure the treatment reaches its purpose both from the perspective of the patient and the caregiver. The tests used in evaluating the patients with dementia included in our study are mostly part of the standard geriatric evaluation which is common practice in all geriatric clinics. In addition, NPIQ test is useful in determining both the severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms and the caregiver distress; caregivers are mostly affected by the behavioral disturbances. In our study the antidementia medication has favorable effects regarding the impact on the caregiver, bringing benefits from the very beginning (the first 3 months), more important in the given order of memantine, combined therapy and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; the benefits last until 18 months.

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