Abstract
This chapter discusses early stage dementia including psychological response, individual needs, care partner roles, continuity of care and available resources. It highlights the importance of autonomy and empowering the individual with early stage dementia to be as independent as possible in areas of strength. This is demonstrated through the importance of early detection and diagnostic disclosure as well as having joint conversations about difficult topics with the individual in the early stages to further empower personal choice and voice. Overall, both the individual in the early stages and care partner(s) will go through a range of emotions that progress through stages of awareness, coping and self-evaluation. There are varying factors that can influence ones psychological responses pertaining to a diagnosis of dementia. Therefore, it is imperative that the individual in the early stages and care partner(s), with support from healthcare professionals, work together as a team thus enhancing a sense of control over this change of life situation through joint interventions and strategies.
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Cotter, V.T., Teixeira, J. (2016). Early Stage Dementia: Maximizing Self-Direction and Health. In: Boltz, M., Galvin, J. (eds) Dementia Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18377-0_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18377-0_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
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