In my opinion, nothing much. The disease will run its course; the person will become worse and worse, eventually entirely helpless, needing 24/7 care - eventually not be able to swallow, and die.

Much the same prognosis as cases where Aricept or other drugs are used to put off worsening by a FEW MONTHS. There is nothing out there, yet, that can cure it.

My Mom tried some of the drugs, Aricept and Namenda, and both had worse side effects than the slowing of her progress was worth. She lived for nearly 9 years after the first signs of forgetfulness appeared, and 4 years after a doctor diagnosed Dementia.

Martha

If you knew for sure they had it, and took no medications for it ...... they will do exactly what they're doing now .. slowly (or rapidly, depending on the dementia) deteriorating.

You will find that most people are on SOME kind of medication for SOMETHING. Blood pressure pills, fluid pills, thyroid pills, cholesterol pills, you name it, there's a pill for it .. if there isnt' a pill, there's a potion, and if in doubt, an injection.

THESE pills & potions keep people alive, probably for longer than they should be.

Typically, Alzheimers or any kind of dementia is usually left untreated, except in the early/mid stages with the options of aricept, namenda etc, which only puts of the inevitable.

Bit sad eh?

My dad is on Namenda and Aricept. He is probably in the late middle stages. He no longer recognizes anyone. However, he can feed himself most of the time and he is goes to the restroom with assistance and reminders. He gets choked on his food...

Anyway, a few months ago he was hospitalized and the doctor decided to take dad off of the namenda and aricept because he was in the later stages. (He was hospitalized due to aspirations.) Dad digressed to the point where he was no longer able to walk on his own. He looked as if he did not know how to put one foot in front of the other. After placing him back on the medications, he returned to his previous level.

My dad is also on medication for hallucinations which he definitely cannot do without. I wish he could do without some of the meds because we never know if his sleeping all the time comes from the meds or the disease.