Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and fatal brain disease affecting as many as 5 million Americans and is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. The number of people with this disease could increase to as many as 16 million people by 2050. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a general term for the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Vascular dementia, another common type of dementia, is caused by reduced blood flow to parts of the brain. In mixed dementia, Alzheimer's and vascular dementia occur together. Alzheimer's disease has no current cure but treatments for symptoms, combined with the right services and support, can make life better for the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer's.
The November/December issue of the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA) features an article titled: White paper on expanding the role of pharmacists in caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The white paper presents a summary discussion from a meeting held on March 5-6, 2008 convened by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation.
Leading national experts including representatives from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the National Alzheimer's Association, the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) met as a coordinating council to discuss the current levels of care and services provided by pharmacists to patients with Alzheimer's Disease. The White paper was developed to serve as a "blueprint document" to stimulate both discussion and action on how to help patients and family caregivers manage the burden of this devastating disease. Support for the coordinating council was provided by a grant from Forest Laboratories, Inc.
The coordinating council outlines several items that could involve pharmacists in improving care for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Those items include:
- Indentifying and publicizing best practices in collaborative care models
- Increasing continuing education programs provide not only clinical insights but information on caregiver issues
- Evaluating residencies, fellowships and other certification processes that enhance pharmacist skills
- Providing overall medication management for patients
- Provision of medication packaging options that promote patient independence and ease of use for caregivers
Another important issue discussed by the coordinating counsel was the need to develop and distribute a list of community referral sources, including healthcare professionals with specialized knowledge, individual and caregiver support groups, respite services and adult day care facilities.
According to William Ellis, executive director of the APhA Foundation, "The coordinating council meeting and subsequent white paper highlighted the tremendous need and numerous opportunities for pharmacist involvement in helping patients and families deal with Alzheimer's disease." Ellis went on to state, "It is also important to recognize that many patients with Alzheimer's disease also suffer from other chronic conditions where a pharmacist's expertise and skills in medication therapy management can be valuable." http://www.medicalnewstoday.com
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