The pharmaceutical industry has all but abandoned the drug development programs for Alzheimer’s and related disorders. This effectively re-focuses treatment and therapy interventions into the interpersonal realm. There won’t be a magic medicine. Well-trained staff will work better and harder and smarter to offset the damage and progression of dementias.
Cognitive and behavioral training and programming are aimed at distinguishing the subtypes of dementia, getting to know the people and developing individualized treatment plans to manage their symptoms.
In the nursing and medical realm, chronic conditions involving major organ systems (cardiac, pulmonary, renal, etc.) can be better managed and balanced as the professional focus turns to multiple, inter-related conditions, rather than singly entity illnesses.
Drug development companies have signaled their investment in medications for congestive heart failure and kidney disease, two complex syndromes with great opportunities for nursing management. Training is underway for the Fields nursing staff to develop expertise in managing these syndromes.
