How should caregivers and doctors of people with Alzheimer's work together?

Caregivers, almost as much as physicians, are also decision-makers about when people with Alzheimer’s begin treatment, and whether they continue on active and effective treatment. For this reason it is critically important for caregivers to understand the nature of the illness and the nature of available treatments, their benefits, limitations, potential side-effects and the changing pattern of behaviors over the course of the disease. Unless caregivers have realistic expectations about what medications can accomplish they are not in a position to make good decisions on behalf of the person with Alzheimer’s.

Not only do caregivers need to understand the purpose of treatment but they must work with the doctor to observe and report beneficial or adverse changes in the person’s response. They are the ones to refill or renew the prescriptions, and carry out any other instructions given by the doctor. Since Alzheimer’s disease can last anywhere from two to twenty-five years, it is clear that doctor and caregiver need to establish a long-term partnership with mutual trust and respect.

For this reason I advise that doctor and caregiver spend time with each other on each visit, away from the person with Alzheimer’s, so that neither the doctor nor the caregiver is constrained from raising issues which could not be comfortably discussed in their presence.

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