Medications

Many people with dementia have been on long term medications to slow the progression or help with cognitive decline.

Resources Contents Chat

Common medications prescribed for dementia include:

Aricept(Donepezil), Exelon (Rivastigmine), Namenda (Memantine), Razadyne (Galantamine)
These medications can have significant side effects such as excessive slowing of heart rate, lowering of blood pressure, and dizziness with increased risk of falls
Increased issues with digestive tract: nausea, decreased appetite, weight loss, altered bowel movements. All of which are likely frequent problems during hospice care
Sleep disturbance, agitation

They were started early in the course of dementia to help with cognitive function
At the time hospice care has been chosen, the dementia has reached its end stage and these medications are very unlikely to be of help
As the dementia worsens and overall condition and health decline, these medications can be causing harm (as discussed above )
The purpose of hospice treatment is to maximize comfort at the end of life, and these medications are likely not helping to achieve this goal at this time

If these medications have not already been addressed, consider discussing with the Hospice Team whether they should be continued or gradually stopped
Do not stop them abruptly. They sometimes need to be 'tapered' off over a couple of weeks