Final answer:
Late-stage dementia interventions that are not effective include attempts to reverse or cure the disease. Supportive care management with medications like Aricept can enhance neurotransmission to help manage symptoms. Staying socially and intellectually active might reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interventions that are not effective in the late stage of dementia involve trying to restore lost cognitive functions or reversing the disease, as there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Instead, current treatments, such as cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. Aricept), aim to manage symptoms by enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission. Non-pharmacological approaches like psychotherapy, sensory therapy, and cognitive exercises can also provide supportive benefit and improve the quality of life. It is also critical to address lifestyle factors, such as smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular health since they may be risk factors for dementia. Prevention strategies stress the importance of staying intellectually and socially active to potentially reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Research is ongoing to find more effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Promising advances, like a blood test for early detection of beta-amyloid molecules, offer hope for the future in managing the disease before the symptoms become severe. However, for late-stage dementia, the focus remains on comfort, preserving dignity, and providing supportive care rather than interventions that would halt or reverse the progression of the disease.