Rosebridge trials Alzheimer medication
‘We’re looking at increasing quality of life’
Wednesday November 21, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
Rosebridge Manor is participating in an Alzheimer medication study in hopes of increasing residents’ activities of daily living and providing improved quality of life.

Director of care Nancy Unsworth tells the OMNIway Rosebridge is in the beginning stages of a one-year study of the drug Exelon. Exelon is a cholinesterase inhibitor; a type of medicine prescribed for people in the early or middle stages of Alzheimer's disease. According to the Exelon website, this medication is not a cure but has been shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Rosebridge is involved in the study to see if in addition to its effects on memory, Exelon can impact other areas of residents’ daily living activities.

“We’re looking at increasing quality of life for our residents,” says Unsworth.

The one-year study, which has just begun, involves three residents of the Jasper long-term care home. Working in conjunction with residents, family members and the home’s advising physician, Dr. J. Robin Conway, residents were selected to take part based on particular parameters. First, they could not have taken Exelon before, and must possess at least one or more of the following symptoms of Alzheimer disease: attention span problems, apathy, anxiety, agitation, irritability and sleep disturbances.

As part of the study, the home is given a DVD about the medication to educate families and staff. Every three months the pharmaceutical company supplies additional information for the families and staff. While the residents participating in the study are observed on a daily basis, there are formal reviews conducted at three months, six months, nine months and one year.

Unsworth says the home decided to participate after she read about the study in a nursing journal and received support from the home’s physician.

The ultimate goal is to provide relief from symptoms and enhance quality of life for residents who have Alzheimer disease, says Unsworth. She says she read about a person prior to taking the medication who was unable to enjoy gardening any longer. With the support of the medication, he or she was able to return to the hobby once enjoyed.

If it helps residents, it will also allow staff to better support them, Unsworth notes.