Help caregivers prepare for what lies ahead

Tools and resources you can use to help caregivers create an effective management plan for their loved ones.

Observation Log

Monitoring and preparing for the progression of symptoms is an important part of caring for the patient with Alzheimer's disease. The Observation Log is an easy-to-use tool that allows caregivers to track the condition and progression of symptoms in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type, especially between visits to their healthcare professional. When returned at office visits, the Observation Log provides healthcare professionals with a quick update about the patient‘s symptom progression and response to therapy.

Icon PdfDownload the Observation Log

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Caregiver's Brochure

Tips about caring for a loved one

Designed for those who are caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease, the Caregiver's Brochure offers information about Alzheimer's disease, caregiving tips, and resources to help caregivers meet the challenges of Alzheimer's disease. Because many of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can cause safety concerns, this pamphlet also provides some suggestions to help caregivers keep their loved one – and those around him or her – safe.

Icon PdfDownload the entire Caregiver's Brochure (English)

Icon PdfDownload the entire Caregiver's Brochure (Spanish)

To view individual pages, click on one of the pages below.

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Answers to common questions about AD

Your patients and their caregivers may have a million questions about Alzheimer's disease, its possible causes, and what lies ahead for them. To help them understand the implication of the diagnosis and help them create an effective management plan, the following information is provided as a service to your patients. You can print this document and distribute it to your patients and their caregivers to help answer many commonly asked questions.

Icon PdfClick here to print Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimer's Disease.

Could my memory loss just be a sign of aging?7

In some instances, yes. Misplacing your eyeglasses or forgetting a phone number occasionally can be normal. However, if your forgetfulness interferes with your ability to work or perform daily activities and maybe other people are taking notice, you may have the warning signs of AD.

What is AD?6,8

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disease that affects a person's ability to remember, reason, and communicate. More than 4.5 million Americans have AD. It is a progressive disease and the most common form of dementia that usually develops in people 65 years of age or older.

What causes AD?

To date, the causes are unknown, however, it is believed that microscopic structures called plaques and tangles form in the brains of people with AD. At the same time, brain cells begin to die. Although these changes occur throughout the brain, they happen mainly in those parts of the brain that are needed for memory, language, and reasoning. Other areas of the brain generally aren't affected until late in the illness.9

Although the cause is not clear, researchers have identified certain risk factors for AD including age, family history, genetics, a previous head injury, combination hormone replacement therapy in women, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poor nutrition.8

What are the symptoms?9

The brain cell damage of AD often occurs long before any symptoms appear. The first thing most people experience is a loss of memory that interferes with their lives. People with AD also have trouble communicating, learning, thinking, and reasoning. As the disease progresses, personality changes may also be seen.

Is there a cure?6

There is no cure for AD, however, there are treatments that can help slow the progression of symptoms. Medical science is learning more about AD all the time, and new treatments are on the horizon.

How long does it take AD to progress?7,8

AD advances at a different rate for every person. The period of illness can run on average from 3 to 20 years, but there are 3 distinct phases (mild, moderate and severe) with hallmark symptoms that allow caregivers to identify changes in behavior and monitor the progression of the disease with the doctor.

Can treatment stop the progression of memory loss and other symptoms?

No. The AD treatments available now can only slow down or stabilize memory loss for a period of time. Eventually, the disease will progress.

Resource Book

A companion to the RAZADYNE ER Sample Pak

This 38-page booklet accompanies every RAZADYNE ER Sample Pak you request. The Resource Book provides basic information about Alzheimer's disease, offers tips for caregivers, and identifies helpful resources for families of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Icon PdfDownload a copy of the Resource Book

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When they know something is wrong...we can help

You've probably found that when your patients are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, they often don't fully understand the implications of the diagnosis. These online Web sites provide the resources and tools your patients can use to find information and support after diagnosis. To view a Web site, turn on your Web browser and click on the site's address.

Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has designed a consumer Web site – www.RazadyneER.com -- to provide patients with information about Alzheimer's disease and its treatment with RAZADYNE ER. After you prescribe RAZADYNE ER, you can direct your patients to this Web site, where they'll find useful tools and information to help manage their disease.

Icon PdfDownload this list of resources

Disclaimer: The following resources are listed here as a service to provide you with information to share with your patients. The information includes resources developed and maintained by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as well as external sites that link you to resources and tools. Neither Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. nor RAZADYNE ER endorses the content on any of the external sites provided, but offers them as an informational resource to be used at your discretion.

Online Informational Web Sites
RAZADYNE ER (galantamine HBr) Web SiteTr Patient Online1 www.razadyneER.com Information about Alzheimer's disease and treatment with RAZADYNE ER
Alzheimer's AssociationTr Patient Online1 www.alz.org In-depth information and resources about Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association has chapters nationwide that provide educational programs and support groups for caregivers and family members of people with Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's Foundation of AmericaTr Patient Online2 www.alzfdn.org Information about care, services and member organizations
Administration on AgingTr Patient Online3 www.aoa.gov/alz Information for families, caregivers and professionals from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National Institute on AgingTr Patient Online4 www.nia.nih.gov General information, causes, symptoms and treatment
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR) www.alzheimers.org Information and resources from the U.S. Government's National Institute on Aging
Hotlines
Alzheimer's Association 24-hour Hotline 1-800-272-3900
Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral (ADEAR) Center Hotline 1-800-438-4380
Safe Return® 24-Hour Enrollment 1-888-572-8566

Other Resources

A companion to the RAZADYNE ER Sample Pak

Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease means not only planning everyday activities and seeing to their daily needs, but preparing for the future. The resources that follow can help patients and their caregivers to plan ahead, prepare legal documents, protect income and assets, and manage day by day.

Icon PdfPrint this list of resources

Online Stores

There are many products available online to make living with AD easier for patients and their caregivers

Legal Resources

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
www.naela.com

Eldercare Locator
www.eldercare.gov

Financial Resources

CareFinder™
www.alz.org/carefinder

Medicare
www.medicare.gov

Medicaid
www.cms.hhs.gov

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov

Government Benefits
www.govbenefits.gov

Care Facility Resources

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
www.aahsa.org

Assisted Living Federation of America.
www.alfa.org

Long-Term Care Ombudsman
www.ltcombudsman.org

Medicare's Nursing Home Compare
www.medicare.gov

Resident's Rights in a Nursing Home
www.nccnhr.org

  • Alzheimer's Association. What is Alzheimer's disease? Available at http://alz.org/AboutAD/WhatIsAD.asp. Accessed January 30, 2007.
  • Alzheimer's Association. Stages of Alzheimer's Disease. Available at http://alz.org/aboutad/stages.asp. Accessed January 30, 2007.
  • Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's disease fact sheet. Available at http://www.alz.org/national/documents/
    FSADFacts.pdf. January 30, 2007.
  • National Institute on Aging. The changing brain in Alzheimer's disease. Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/
    Publications/UnravelingTheMystery/
    Part1/ChangingBrainInAlzheimer.htm. Accessed January 30, 2007.