Long-term cholinesterase inhibitor therapy for Alzheimer's disease: implications for long-term care

As the population ages and Alzheimer's disease (AD) becomes more prevalent, nursing facilities will be faced with managing more AD patients than in previous decades. Managing this population will pose a significant challenge for the resources of long-term care facilities. In short- and long-term studies, cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor treatment has been shown to benefit the symptoms of mild to moderate AD. Donepezil trials have extended this finding to patients with moderate to severe AD as well as the more severe symptoms of AD patients residing in nursing home settings. Results from long-term ChE inhibitor trials and the benefits that may be gained by treating AD patients residing in nursing facilities are presented.