Answered a question 3/26/2010 at 7:00 pm
The experience of early dementia has been studied by examining a number of factors: awareness, variability over time, and psycho-social issues. Despite impressive advances in the scientific study of
...Read MoreThe experience of early dementia has been studied by examining a number of factors: awareness, variability over time, and psycho-social issues. Despite impressive advances in the scientific study of dementia and frequent calls to place greater emphasis on the person with dementia, we know little about the experience of dementia, partly because we are uncertain of the extent to which we can gain access to the expereince of another person related to their own cognitive impairment.
There are a number of reports and studies of how dementia is experienced. What we do know is that prior to diagnosis, some individuals experience uncertainty about what is causing the difficulty they're experiencing with their thought process. Sometimes questioning a person can lead to emotional reactions of which fear and depression are likely results.
Here are a few of the areas to be aware of:
Awareness as agreement with others.
Don't assume lack of awareness simply because a person has evidence of mental or cognitive impairment. Awareness may vary in it's depth and breadth. Lack of awareness in one area may not mean there is not awareness in other areas.
Variability over time.
Expect considerable variablity in experience and mood over time within individuals. Differing reports on the variances of understanding from the same person over a short period of time, doesn't necessarily mean the reports are not accurate.
Awareness, variability and psychosocial influences.
Be supportive to encourage openess and honesty. People who feel devalued by any questioning, or confused about their own thinking process, may downplay their problems so that they communicate their worthiness, instead of their deficiencies. Remember to also look at a person's history to determine how long any impairment may have been evident.
*If we are to increase understanding and reduce uncertainty experienced by people with dementia, we must fully sink ourselves into dealing with truly understanding what is experienced, and likely take a more thoughtful and challenging approach to dementia.