Alzheimer’s Disease: The Four Roles Pharmacists Play
Did you know that there are many things your family pharmacist can do for a person with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones?
Role 1: Preventing Alzheimer’s
The best way to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s is to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Like any other healthcare professional, your family pharmacist should encourage you to:
- Eat a balanced diet (colourful, high-fibre and low-fat meals)
- Be physically active for 30 minutes a day (walking, jogging, cycling, doing yoga, etc.)
- Get enough sleep each night
- Maintain an active social life
- Manage stress
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Stop smoking (cigarettes, vapes, joints, etc.)
- Regularly stimulate your brain (reading, doing Sudoku, crosswords or puzzles, playing video games, etc.)
When it comes to smoking, your family pharmacist can support you in quitting, in particular by prescribing nicotine replacement therapies.* Interested? Ask your team of pharmacists!
Role 2: Detecting Alzheimer’s
Given the nature of their work, your family pharmacist builds a trust-based relationship with you and your loved ones. They know you well and see you frequently. That’s why they may be able to detect some of the preliminary signs of Alzheimer’s, such as disorientation or language issues.
Role 3: Providing resources and support
If your family pharmacist notices changes in you or your loved one’s behaviour, they will recommend a visit to your family doctor. Your physician will do a series of tests to evaluate your physical and mental health.
Have you been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease? Or does a relative have Alzheimer’s and you’re their caregiver? Your family pharmacist can help. They can inform you of the various resources available in your area.
Role 4: Ensuring follow-up on medications
Currently, Health Canada has approved only three drugs for Alzheimer’s. These are only moderately effective and are mainly used to alleviate symptoms because, unfortunately, there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
As with other health issues, your family pharmacist can:
- Prepare prescriptions
- Adjust prescriptions, if necessary
- Explain the expected benefits of the medication
- Assess drug interactions
- Inform you of possible side effects
- Encourage you to adhere to treatment
- Suggest drug administration according to your condition
- And more
When it comes to degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, your family pharmacist relies on your help. Your feedback—comments, observations or other input—will help them adjust your medication, for example. Take the time to discuss the particulars of your condition with your family pharmacist at your next visit to the prescription counter.
Pharmacy services
Do you have questions about Alzheimer’s? Ask with your family pharmacist. They’re there for you!
The pharmacy services presented in this section are offered by pharmacist owners who are affiliated with Uniprix. The pharmacists are solely responsible for the professional activities carried out during the practice of pharmacy. These services are offered in participating pharmacies only. Certain fees and conditions may apply.
* The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide complete information on the subject matter or to replace the advice of a health professional. This information does not constitute medical consultation, diagnosis or opinion and should not be interpreted as such. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions about your health, medications or treatment.