Memory & Dementia
Can Lifestyle Impact Dementia?
Amarish Dave, DO explains how physical activity, vascular risk factors, nutrition, sleep, social engagement, and cognitive activity fit into brain health and dementia care.
Watch VideoMemory & Dementia
Dementia Treatment
Dementia treatment addresses more than medication. It combines cause-directed care, symptom management, safety planning, and support for the people providing care.
Written and medically reviewed by Amarish Dave, DO, board-certified neurologist. This page is educational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation.
How Do We Treat Dementia?
Dementia treatment depends on its underlying cause, stage, symptoms, other health conditions, and the needs of the patient and family. There is no single treatment that is appropriate for every person with dementia.
Care begins by identifying the cause and treating reversible or contributing problems. A plan may include symptom medications when appropriate; treatment of sleep, mood, behavior, hearing, vision, and vascular risks; physical, cognitive, and social activity; brain-healthy nutrition; caregiver support; and planning for safety, driving, medication management, and future needs.
Disease-modifying treatments may be considered for selected patients with early Alzheimer's disease, but they are not appropriate for everyone. Eligibility, biomarker confirmation, risks, and monitoring requirements require an individual medical evaluation.
Key Takeaways
- Determining the underlying cause is an important first step.
- Dementia treatment is broader than prescribing a medication.
- Reversible and contributing medical problems should be identified and treated.
- Medication choices depend on the diagnosis, stage, health conditions, risks, and goals.
- Activity, vascular health, nutrition, sleep, hearing, vision, safety, and caregiver support all matter.
- No single treatment plan is right for every person with dementia.
Memory & Dementia Care In Person or by Telehealth
See a neurologist in person in Crystal Lake, Woodstock, or Lake Geneva—or, when clinically appropriate, schedule a telehealth visit from anywhere in Illinois or Wisconsin. Family members and caregivers may participate when appropriate.
In-Person Neurology Visits
In-person appointments are available at our three office locations in Crystal Lake, Illinois; Woodstock, Illinois; and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Woodstock, Illinois
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Telehealth Neurology Visits
Telehealth neurology appointments are available to patients located anywhere in Illinois or Wisconsin. You do not need to live near an office, but you must be physically located in Illinois or Wisconsin at the time of the appointment.
Telehealth may be appropriate for selected neurological evaluations and follow-up care. Some concerns require an in-person neurological examination or testing.
Learn about telehealth neurology →Dementia treatment options
- Identify and treat reversible or contributing medical problems
- Review medications that may worsen thinking and simplify them when appropriate
- Consider medications used for cognitive, behavioral, or other symptoms when appropriate
- Discuss disease-modifying treatment only for selected patients with early Alzheimer's disease who meet eligibility and monitoring requirements
- Treat sleep, mood, behavior, hearing, vision, and other problems that affect daily function
- Manage blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and other vascular risks
- Support physical activity, brain-healthy nutrition, cognitive activity, and social connection
- Address safety, driving, medication management, caregiver education, and future planning
Supporting someone with memory loss?
The Illinois Dementia Guide provides free, practical guidance for Illinois families navigating memory concerns, dementia evaluation, caregiving and planning.
Explore the Illinois Dementia Guide →Caregiver support
Families often need practical guidance as much as medical treatment. Educational resources and local Illinois support options are collected in the Illinois Dementia Guide.
Medication decisions
Specific medication recommendations depend on the diagnosis, other medical conditions, and individual goals. They are made during an office or telehealth visit, not through this website.
Evaluation guides the treatment plan
Treatment choices follow a careful dementia evaluation, including a history, examination, cognitive testing, and testing for contributing conditions. Learn more about memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, and brain-healthy lifestyle factors that may be included in a complete care plan.
Frequently asked questions
- Can dementia be cured?
- Most progressive dementias do not currently have a cure. Treatment can address contributing problems, manage symptoms, support function and safety, and in selected patients target aspects of the underlying disease.
- Is dementia treatment only medication?
- No. A complete plan may include medications when appropriate, physical and social activity, vascular risk management, sleep and mood care, hearing and vision support, nutrition, caregiver education, and safety planning.
- Is disease-modifying Alzheimer's treatment right for everyone?
- No. These treatments may be considered only for selected patients with early Alzheimer's disease after diagnostic confirmation and an individual review of eligibility, risks, and monitoring requirements.
Related memory and dementia videos
Memory & Dementia
How to Manage Agitation in Dementia
Amarish Dave, DO shares practical ways caregivers can look for triggers, reduce distress, redirect calmly, create predictable routines, and recognize sudden changes that need medical evaluation.
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Memory & Dementia
What Is the New Alzheimer's Disease Treatment?
Amarish Dave, DO explains how Leqembi and Kisunla target amyloid, who may qualify, and why biomarker confirmation, MRI monitoring, and individualized risk review matter.
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Memory & Dementia
Can Dementia Be Prevented?
Amarish Dave, DO explains why dementia cannot be prevented with certainty and how addressing modifiable risks may support long-term brain health.
Watch VideoRelated topics
Wondering whether a memory change is expected with age? Learn how to distinguish normal aging from possible signs of dementia.
New disease-modifying treatments are limited to selected patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Learn who may qualify for Leqembi or Kisunla, how amyloid is confirmed, and why MRI and APOE testing matter.
Daily habits are part of a complete care plan. Watch lifestyle and dementia, and learn what dementia risk reduction can—and cannot—promise.
New or worsening behavior symptoms can have several causes. Learn why people with dementia may have hallucinations.
Caregivers can also learn practical ways to manage urinary incontinence in dementia, including scheduled toileting and signs that deserve medical evaluation.
For restlessness, pacing, irritability, or resistance to care, review practical strategies for managing agitation in dementia and recognizing sudden changes that may have a medical cause.
Not every dementia begins with memory loss. Watch what frontotemporal dementia is and normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Memory LossWhen forgetfulness deserves a neurological evaluation.Mild Cognitive ImpairmentA measurable change in thinking that does not yet limit independence.Alzheimer's DiseaseThe most common cause of dementia, and how it is diagnosed.Lewy Body DementiaCognitive change with movement, sleep, and alertness features.
Schedule a Neurology Appointment
Choose the scheduling line for the state where you will be located for your appointment.
In-Person Neurology Visits
Available at three office locations:
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Woodstock, Illinois
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Telehealth Neurology Visits
Telehealth neurology appointments are available to patients located anywhere in Illinois or Wisconsin. You do not need to live near an office, but you must be physically located in Illinois or Wisconsin at the time of the appointment.
Learn about telehealth neurology →Call to schedule
Illinois appointments: 815-337-7100. Wisconsin appointments: 262-245-0535.
Choose your visit
Our office will confirm whether an in-person or telehealth visit is appropriate and provide the details.
Insurance and referrals
Insurance participation and referral requirements vary by plan. Our office will confirm what your plan requires before your visit.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical attention.