Severe Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment Effects on Function and Care Requirements

The number and age of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) continues to increase dramatically with more patients requiring long-term skilled care. The care of patients with AD, particularly those with severe AD, is a challenge that long-term care administrators are facing with increasing frequency. The therapeutic approach to patients in the moderate to severe stages of AD is a combination of pharmacologic agents to maximize patient function and independence and is cost effective for the nursing home facility and the patient. Here we review the use of drug therapy in patients with severe AD, focusing on function and long-term care perspectives.