At The Kensington White Plains, Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own. We can maintain this promise by ensuring our residents receive the highest quality of support and care. That’s why we’re pleased to learn about the newest treatment for dementia, Leqembi.
At our recent event—“Exploring the New FDA-Approved Treatment for Dementia: How Can Leqembi Help My Loved One?”—we discussed the drug’s approval by the FDA and what it could mean for your loved one, with the help of Neurologist Dr. Kenneth Wogensen.
The discussion covered key findings about Leqembi, including:
- Basic Science: How Leqembi fights amyloid plaques in the brain
- Efficacy: Clinical trial results and FDA approval process
- Impact: Who is eligible and why, side effects
- Accessibility: Medicare coverage
Read on for an overview of this discussion and whether your loved one may qualify for this innovative and exciting new treatment.
Meet our speaker: Renowned neurologist Dr. Kenneth K. Wogensen, MD
Dr. Kenneth K. Wogensen, a board-certified neurologist with over three decades of experience, led our most recent informative session about Leqembi.
A graduate of the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, he completed his neurology residency at the University of San Diego School of Medicine and participated in a fellowship at the Stanford Neurology Unit.
Dr. Wogensen’s approach to patient care is family-oriented, focusing on the patient and their entire family. The Kensington White Plains team respects and relates to this approach, living by our own Promise to love and care for our residents as we would our own family members.
Dr. Wogensen’s specialization in the medical management of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease made him an ideal expert to lead the discussion about what Leqembi’s approval means for Alzheimer’s care.
An overview of Leqembi
Leqembi is a new medication for seniors in the earlier to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous treatments only targeted symptoms, while Leqembi has been shown to slow or stop the disease’s progression altogether.
The FDA gave Leqembi the green light in January through a special process called Accelerated Approval. This process lets the FDA approve new medicines quickly when a serious medical need is not being met.
In the case of Leqembi, they looked at how well it worked in reducing harmful clumps of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
This special approval means that Leqembi has shown great promise in helping those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical trials have shown that Leqembi can help to maintain thinking abilities and activities of daily living.
Who can take Leqembi?
Leqembi is a treatment given through an IV (a needle in the vein) in large medical institutions every two weeks. Outpatient treatment is not yet widely available.
The drug is most effective in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or those with the condition that’s a step before Alzheimer’s, known as mild cognitive impairment.
In the United States, about 1.5 million people may be eligible for this treatment.
The FDA has stated that doctors must identify the amyloid plaque build up in their patient’s brain in order to prescribe them Leqembi. The drug works by targeting these clumps that create common symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
If your loved one has not yet been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, ask their physician for a scan, spinal tap, or blood test to determine if they could qualify for Leqembi’s treatment.
The Kensington White Plains bridges medical experts and community
At The Kensington White Plains, we believe in fostering an informed community by collaborating with medical authorities such as Dr. Kenneth K. Wogensen and other renowned professionals.
Through a series of engaging events and educational programs, we’re committed to sharing the latest medical insights with families, caregivers, and the larger community.
From informative seminars like this one to interactive workshops, we’re bridging the gap between medical research and everyday life, to give caregivers the tools that they need to care for their loved one.
Our events aren’t just about knowledge—they’re about enriching lives.
Through our educational initiatives, families and caregivers can better understand their loved one’s health conditions, treatment options, and preventive measures.
Guided by Our Promise to love and care for our residents as we do our own family, The Kensington White Plains team aims to empower everyone to make the best choices for their loved ones and themselves.
Comprehensive memory care at The Kensington White Plains
At The Kensington White Plains, our dedication to memory care goes beyond mere support; it’s a heartfelt commitment to every individual’s unique journey.
We recognize the vast spectrum of needs when it comes to memory challenges, and we have structured our services to cater to each one with sensitivity, expertise, and unwavering compassion.
Tailored to all levels of need
Every resident’s memory care journey is different.
Whether they’re experiencing early signs of memory challenges, are in the middle stages of a cognitive condition, or need advanced care, we’re equipped to offer the appropriate support.
Our two memory care neighborhoods, Connections, and Haven, ensure that as residents’ care needs change, our care evolves with them.
Connections is our neighborhood for early to middle-stage Alzheimer’s and dementia care. It is designed specifically for residents who are showing increasing signs of memory loss, but still retain a large degree of independence. Our goal is to help residents be independently engaged in activities that give meaning and purpose to their lives.
In this neighborhood, we maintain a caregiver-to-resident ratio of 1:5 – or one care provider for every five residents.
Haven is our neighborhood for middle to late stage Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Our goal is to maximize comfort, minimize agitation, and soothe compassionately.
We maintain a caregiver-to-resident ratio of 1:4.
Expertise at the core
The Kensington White Plains boasts a team of professionals who are continuously trained and specialize in memory care.
Our team stays updated with the latest research, treatments, and best practices to ensure residents receive the most effective care and compassion possible.
The collaboration between our in-house experts and external professionals guarantees that our approach is always holistic and evidence-based.
Treating residents like family
Our Promise is rooted in treating every resident as a cherished family member.
We understand that memory care isn’t just about medical treatment; it’s about understanding each individual’s emotions, history, and personality. Our team invests time in getting to know each resident, ensuring they feel understood, respected, and loved.
Family meetings, feedback sessions, and personalized care plans allow family members to stay informed and involved.
A supportive environment
Beyond our expert care team, The Kensington White Plains provides an environment that nurtures and supports, not only our residents, but their family members too.
From sensory gardens to tailored activities, to our dining room that’s open to guests, every element of our community is designed to create comfort and enrich the lives of our residents.
The Kensington White Plains: We’re here for you and your family
The Kensington White Plains is an assisted living and memory care community that offers high-acuity care and top-notch amenities and services. Because of our dedication to our Kensington family, we’re equipped to care for residents even as their conditions progress and require more attention.
The Kensington White Plains also offers THRIVE with Parkinson’s, a program for new and current residents with movement disorders with their family members. We have partnered with leaders in the field of movement disorders to create a program involving weekly on-site and virtual classes and educational events.
Our residents enjoy exquisite dining, life-enrichment activities, rehabilitation and wellness programs, and around-the-clock care with a nurse always on-site.
Whether you have questions or need advice and support, our dedicated team at The Kensington White Plains is just a phone call away.
Contact us today, and let us be part of your support system.