When someone you love is diagnosed with dementia, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Questions arise quickly: What can be done? Is there a treatment? Will things get better?
In an earlier blog, we explored the many non-medication strategies that can help individuals with dementia feel more comfortable, connected, and engaged. While these therapies often serve as a first line of support, there are times when medication can offer meaningful relief—especially when symptoms interfere with safety, sleep, or quality of life.
While dementia currently has no cure, several medications and emerging therapies can offer meaningful relief. These medical options don’t reverse the condition, but they can reduce symptoms, enhance quality of life, and, in some cases, slow progression—especially when started early.
Let’s walk through the most common and promising medical treatments available today:
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Medications like donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne) are widely used for Alzheimer’s and sometimes other types of dementia. These drugs work by increasing levels of acetylcholine, a chemical essential for learning and memory.
They are generally prescribed in the early to moderate stages of dementia and can lead to temporary improvements in memory, language, and focus. Common side effects include nausea, upset stomach, and poor appetite, but these often ease with time or adjustment.
Memantine
Memantine (Namenda) is typically prescribed for moderate to severe dementia. It works differently than cholinesterase inhibitors—by regulating glutamate, another neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning.
Memantine may help with attention, daily functioning, and delay the need for more intensive care. It’s often used alongside a cholinesterase inhibitor. Side effects may include dizziness, constipation, and confusion, though many people tolerate it well.
Disease-Modifying Drugs
A new category of treatments targets the biology of Alzheimer’s disease itself. These drugs—lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab—are monoclonal antibodies that bind to amyloid plaques in the brain and help clear them away. These plaques are one of the hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s.
Approved only for early-stage Alzheimer’s, these therapies are given via infusion and monitored closely due to potential risks, such as brain swelling or bleeding. Still, they represent a hopeful step forward in slowing the disease, not just managing the symptoms.
“Medications can’t cure dementia—but the right ones can offer better days, clearer moments, and calmer nights.”
Medications for Behavioral Symptoms
As dementia progresses, behavioral and psychological symptoms may emerge: agitation, depression, anxiety, paranoia, even hallucinations. These can be deeply distressing to both the individual and their caregivers.
Because behaviors often stem from unmet needs or discomfort, medications are usually considered after trying personalized, non-drug strategies. When used thoughtfully and with consent from care partners, they can reduce distress and help the person feel safer in their surroundings.
Doctors may recommend:
These drugs require close monitoring due to side effects like sedation, increased fall risk, or changes in heart rhythm. But when used appropriately, they can restore calm, improve sleep, and help individuals feel more secure in their environment.
It’s important to remember that not every individual with dementia will need medication—and that’s okay. The decision to use medication should always be based on the person’s needs, preferences, and how they respond to other care approaches.
Who Should Be Leading Dementia Care?
Managing dementia medications requires expertise, ongoing monitoring, and a coordinated approach. Typically, a primary care physician is the first to notice cognitive changes and may begin the diagnostic process. From there, a neurologist—who specializes in brain disorders—often takes the lead in confirming a diagnosis and recommending treatment. Geriatricians, who focus on older adult health, are also valuable for managing medications in the context of other age-related conditions. In more complex cases, psychiatrists may assist with behavioral symptoms or co-existing mood disorders.
Regardless of who is prescribing the medications, communication among all providers is essential. A collaborative team—including the family and care staff—helps ensure that treatment is safe, tailored, and regularly reviewed. For families navigating this process, having a dedicated doctor to coordinate care—especially as the disease progresses—can offer both stability and peace of mind.
A Word of Encouragement
Medical treatments for dementia won’t cure the disease, but they can support comfort, clarity, and safety when used as part of a broader, personalized care plan. When thoughtfully combined with non-pharmacological therapies, medications may offer a meaningful boost in quality of life. Reactions to medications vary widely, so regular review and input from trusted care partners is key to ensuring the best outcome.
If you haven’t yet read our blog on holistic approaches to dementia care, we encourage you to start there. At Aegis Living, we believe in supporting the whole person, and working together to find what brings out the best in every individual.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.