Keywords

care needs, dementia, early-onset, quality of life, resources

 

Authors

  1. ROSE, KAREN PHD
  2. YU, FANG PHD GNP-BC, RN
  3. PALMER, JANICE L. PHD, RN
  4. RICHESON, NANCY E. PHD, CTRS
  5. BURGENER, SANDY C. PHD, GNP-BC

Abstract

Persons with early-onset dementia are a growing subpopulation of persons with dementia. Persons with early-onset dementia are more vulnerable to negative societal- and health care-related effects of dementia. Four case studies are presented. Identified themes are (1) coping with the stigma of dementia diagnosis; (2) lack of access to health care benefits and community-based services; (3) loss of income, work roles, and related benefits; (4) loneliness and isolation; (5) difficulties in meeting the safety needs of those who are physically active; (6) challenges in finding appropriate long-term care placement; and (7) caregiver difficulties. Implications for future studies are described.