Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease

Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease treatment at Covington Behavioral Health in St. Tammany Parish

Infamous for its ability to wreak havoc on a person’s most precious memories, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia, or a neurocognitive disorder, that most commonly strikes in late adulthood. Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, which means that it continues to worsen over time, and it is ultimately a fatal disorder. Although Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, it is possible to help a person learn to manage some of the symptoms of the disorder and to help create supports in his or her life that allow the person to maximize his or her independence.

At Covington Behavioral Health, we have extensive experience treating individuals with neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease. Here patients can receive expert care delivered by a team of compassionate and experienced professionals. With the help of our dedicated treatment team, it is possible to learn to manage Alzheimer’s symptoms and live a healthier, happier life.

Helping a loved one get treatment for Alzheimer’s disease

Watching a loved one deteriorate over time as a result of Alzheimer’s disease is a profoundly painful experience, but there are still ways you can help him or her. Consider the following options:

• Learn as much as you can about Alzheimer’s disease. By reading books, looking through reputable websites, and speaking with treatment professionals, you can build your understanding of the effects this disorder can have on your loved one and can learn tips and tricks for helping your loved one maximize his or her independence.
• Research treatment options. People with Alzheimer’s disease often require the help of an expert treatment team, especially as their disease progresses. Spend time learning about various treatment options and make a list of a few centers that may be a good fit for your loved one.
• If possible, discuss these treatment options with your loved one now so that he or she can share his or her wishes for treatment. If your loved one needs to enter treatment, help him or her by arranging transportation, accompanying your loved one to appointments with treatment center staff, managing other logistical issues, and being an active source of support during his or her time in treatment.
• Seek out support for yourself. Walking alongside a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be a taxing process, so it is important to take care of yourself. Rally the support of friends and family members, and do not forget to take time for yourself. Many people also find it helpful to seek out individual therapy or support groups for people whose loved ones have Alzheimer’s disease.

Why consider treatment for Alzheimer’s disease at Covington Behavioral Health in St. Tammany Parish

Alzheimer’s disease has the potential to severely affect an individual’s daily life. People with Alzheimer’s disease can begin to forget everything from where they left their keys to where they live. These memory problems can make it difficult or impossible for individuals to retain their independence, as their forgetfulness may place them in serious danger if they, for example, forget to turn off the stove or forget to take medications. In addition, because Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, these individuals can experience greater and greater cognitive difficulties over time. Fortunately, however, proper care can help individuals and families to develop routines and create support systems that enable individuals with Alzheimer’s disease to live as fully and independently as possible.

Types of Alzheimer’s disease treatment offered at Covington Behavioral Health in St. Tammany Parish

Covington Behavioral Health is a 104-bed residential treatment center that provides personalized, comprehensive care for adult men and women, ages 18 and above, who have experienced acute changes in their emotional and mental wellbeing and are in need of psychiatric stabilization.

At Covington Behavioral Health, care for men and women who have been diagnosed with neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease is provided by multidisciplinary teams of talented and dedicated professionals, including psychiatrists, medical psychologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, counselors, activity therapists, and mental health technicians. Among the members of our staff who have specialized training are our full-time staff dietitian, social workers who are certified in gerontology, and physicians certified in forensic psychiatry and addictionology.

The care that our patients receive incorporates a variety of treatment techniques and therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). We place a premium on conducting thorough assessments on each patient to ensure that we are able to develop individualized treatment plans that address each person’s specific strengths, needs, and treatment goals.

Each patient’s time at Covington Behavioral Health will be a unique experience based on his or her specific strengths and needs. Depending upon those unique factors, a patient’s treatment may include the following elements:

Medication management: Some individuals with neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease may benefit from having certain prescription medications incorporated into their treatment plans. Covington patients who meet this description will have the opportunity to meet with our psychiatrist and nursing staff on a regular basis to receive medication management services.

Detoxification: Covington Behavioral Health is not a substance abuse treatment center; however, we do understand that prospective patients may have struggled with substance abuse in addition to their challenges with neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease. To best serve these individuals, we provide detox services for individuals who been abusing alcohol, prescription painkillers, and certain other drugs. After they have rid their bodies of the substances that they have been abusing, detox patients will transfer directly into residential treatment to receive care for their mental health disorders.

Individual therapy: Patients have the opportunity to meet with a member of our social service staff (LCSW, LMSW, LPC, or PLPC) or nursing staff (RN or LPN) for an individual therapy session every day during their time in treatment for neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease. Additional individual therapy sessions may be scheduled based upon patient need. Individual therapy allows patients to address issues that they may be hesitant to bring up during group sessions, provides them with one-on-one feedback and guidance from experienced professionals, and helps them to develop effective skills for managing the symptoms of neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Group therapy: Group therapy sessions are fundamental elements of treatment at Covington Behavioral Health. Group therapy provides a structured yet dynamic environment in which participants can share their insights and experiences, learn from the contributions of fellow patients, and practice healthy interpersonal skills such as effective communication, empathy, and giving and receiving support. The following are among the groups that a patient who is being treated for neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease may participate in during his or her time at Covington:

• Activity groups
• Creative therapy groups
• Dietary groups
• Process groups
• Psychoeducation groups

Group therapy sessions, which are typically offered at least five times during each treatment day, are led by nurses, activity therapists, mental health technicians, and members of our social services staff.

Family therapy: At Covington Behavioral Health , we understand that an individual’s struggles with neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease may impact his or her entire family. With family therapy, loved ones of Covington patients have the opportunity to address how they have been affected by the patient’s mental health problems, learn how to strengthen family bonds and improve intra-familial relationships, and develop the skills that will allow them to provide the best possible support as their loved one continues in recovery following the residential phase of his or her treatment. Family therapy sessions at Covington Behavioral Health are typically conducted by the patient’s case manager and may be scheduled on an as-needed basis or by request.

Discharge planning: We provide robust discharge planning services to ensure that each patient and his or her family has a thorough plan that identifies the referrals, community-based services, and other support services that will put the patient in the best position to maintain and improve upon the progress that he or she made while in treatment for neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease with us.

At Covington Behavioral Health, our ultimate goal is to provide the focused, effective, and personalized care that can improve the quality of life for all who are entrusted into our care. For more information about our services, please do not hesitate to contact us at your convenience. We look forward to answering all of your questions and helping you determine if Covington Behavioral Health is the perfect place for you or your loved one.