Archive · 25 Nov 2025
Preserving Dementia Patients' Sense of Self
Dementia is a condition that affects memory and thinking.
It's important to help people with dementia feel valued and connected.
This can be done by having meaningful conversations and adjusting how you communicate based on their abilities.
For example, asking someone in the early stages of dementia about their past can be affirming, but it might be frustrating for someone in later stages.
The key is to find the right way to communicate that makes them feel included and understood.
This helps them maintain their sense of self and feel connected to others.
Dementia affects 6 million people in the U.S. and 57 million globally, with rates predicted to double by 2060.
Stigma and dehumanizing treatment of people with dementia can accelerate their loss of self-worth and identity.
Dementia is an umbrella term for cognitive conditions involving memory loss, difficulty thinking, and challenges with daily tasks.
Person-centered care focuses on providing comfort, attachment, inclusion, occupation, and identity to support the self-worth of people with dementia.
Effective communication strategies, such as adjusting to the person's communication abilities, can help preserve their sense of self and empower them to engage socially.
- Who
- People with dementia and their loved ones
- What
- Strategies to preserve the sense of self in dementia patients
- When
- Ongoing, with increasing prevalence
- Where
- Globally, with a focus on the U.S.
- Why
- To reduce stigma and support self-worth in dementia patients
- Global Dementia Cases
- 57 million
- U.S. Dementia Cases
- 6 million
- Predicted Increase by 2060
- Double
- Most Common Form of Dementia
- Alzheimer's disease
- Key Communication Strategy
- Person-centered care
- Author
- R Amanda Cooper
- Publication
- The Conversation