Janet’s information piece
Progress with new Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab
In top-line results from a phase 3 clinical trial called Clarity AD, lecanemab has been shown to slow down the decline in thinking and memory skills in people living with early Alzheimer’s disease by 27%.
- Lecanemab is a drug that targets amyloid protein build-ups in the brains of people living with Alzheimer’s disease, marking them to be cleared away by the brain’s immune system.
- Clearing away these amyloid protein build-ups has been long explored as a potential way of slowing down how quickly a person with Alzheimer’s disease’s memory and thinking skills get worse – but clinical trials have struggled to show any beneficial effects on symptoms in the past.
- This news represents a potentially game-changing step towards treatments that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in the UK.
The trails will continue. Careful screening and targeting of suitable people is needed and there are some concerns about side effects. The NHS will await clearance before the treatment is offered to patients.
Member updates
Support
A carer said her dad seems to have perked up. He has been given meds so he doesn’t get up so much in the night. Her Mum has good and bad days – mainly not wanting extra support. She gets irritable with him and it’s now more difficult bathing and dressing him. It’s a lot to come to terms with and it’s taking its toll on her. Her mum is concerned at the idea of getting someone in. She thinks maybe if social services come in they will take him away. She believes it’s her duty to take care of him. Tatiana said social services are there to help and work together to support them both. If something happens to her mum it’s important to have something in place. Try it for a while and make decisions from there. Have an assessment list.
Another carers said she can understand what she’s up against. Her mum isn’t 100% happy with her help, but it’s for her own benefit. Janet said you can make suggestions. Some people don’t make a decision until there’s a crisis. Volcare was recommended by a third carer who finds them excellent.
Motivation
A male carer tries to motivate his wife who is in the early stage of dementia. She has had a sleep monitor and they are waiting for the results.
It’s cold out there
A daughter has had a tricky week with her mum turning off the radiators. She lives alone and is afraid that she will go to prison if she can’t pay the energy bills. It’s like a fridge in her home.
Safeguarding
Another carer said her step-dad has no central heating, only free standing oil heaters with trailing cables. She is trying to influence him to go into assisted living. His sons are prime carers, but it’s a limbo situation. He is very isolated. Bluebird care comes three times a week to prepare a meal, wash up and put the washing on but she doesn’t know about other days. Janet said that if it is a safeguarding issue she should speak to the sons about it. Tatiana suggested discussing options with social services, to speak to Brian and support him in his decisions.
Gyda read: “A partridge in a pear tree”:
Next meeting 9th January 2023.
Reflections 