Support for Patient, Families is Key in Each Stage of Disease
Dementia is a general term used to describe a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Family members, healthcare providers, and care managers face special challenges in supporting and caring for people with dementia.
In the early stages of dementia, patients and families may notice the patient has increased difficulty in coping with transitions, subtle changes in short-term memory, difficulty finding the right words, and instances of repetition, such as asking the same questions or completing the same tasks repeatedly. Families will sometimes report their loved one is confused about their sense of direction, struggles to follow storylines, or exhibits sudden changes in mood, such as depression, frustration, and anger.