Study: Condition of Caregivers Influences Use of Alzheimer Medications

The conditon of the caregiver as well as the patient plays a big role in determining whether medications are used to treat Alzheimer's disease, according to a study reported in the October 3 issue of the Journal of the American Geriatric Society.

The two-year study evaluated 102 caregivers for patients with mild to severe stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Caregiver chararcteristics drove medication decisions. Seventeen percent did not want their relatives to take a risk-free medication that could slow the disease, and half did not want their relatives to take medication with a risk of side effects.

Study participants who ranked themselves as having "just enough" or "not enough" funds at the end of the month were more likely to decline treatment. Non-whites were also more likely to decline treatment, although no data confirmed why this was the case.

"Now that we understand why caregivers refuse a dementia-slowing treatment, we can better plan for patient care and develop future treatment guidelines that incorporate the caregiver's experience," said study author Dr. Jason Karlawish, of University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "This planning could ultimately help caregivers and physicians in determining an appropriate time to end treatment for Alzheimer's disease, based on factors influencing quality of life."

Karlawish said the study also shows that managing the health of the caregiver is an integral part to treating a patient with Alzheimer's disease. "When you have one person with Alzheimer's disease, you have at least two people to take care of," he added.

Other sources: University of Pennsylvania Medical Center