Dementia Care: Supporting Cognitive Health

Guide to dementia understanding, early signs, cognitive support, and caregiver resources.

10 min readLast updated: 2026-02-17

Quick Facts

Prevalence
6 million Americans have Alzheimer's dementia
Types
Alzheimer's disease, vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal
Risk Factors
Age, genetics, cardiovascular disease, lack of cognitive engagement

Overview: Understanding Dementia

Dementia encompasses progressive cognitive decline beyond normal aging, interfering with daily functioning. Alzheimer's disease is most common, accounting for 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia .

Early recognition allows treatment initiation and planning while cognitive function remains intact.

Key Information
Early signs include memory loss affecting daily function, difficulty with familiar tasks, getting lost, mood/personality changes, and withdrawal from activities. Cognitive impairment should be evaluated by healthcare providers to establish diagnosis.

Early Detection

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents memory changes beyond normal aging but not yet dementia. Some individuals with MCI progress to dementia while others remain stable. Cognitive testing through neuropsychological evaluation helps characterize impairment.

Cognitive Support Strategies

Maintaining cognitive engagement through reading, puzzles, learning new skills, and social interaction supports brain health. Regular physical exercise improves cognitive function. Adequate sleep, stress management, and cardiovascular disease management protect cognitive health.

Supportive Care

Establishing predictable routines, using memory aids (calendars, notes, labels), simplifying communication, and maintaining familiar environment support people with dementia. Validation therapy, rather than arguing about errors, maintains dignity and reduces distress.

Warning
Behavioral and psychological symptoms—agitation, depression, anxiety, wandering—require compassionate response and sometimes medication. Caregiver stress is real and requires support; respite care and counseling help prevent burnout.
Clinical Note
Medications (cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine) may slow cognitive decline in some cases . Depression screening and treatment improve quality of life. Advance care planning while person has capacity ensures their wishes are known. Support groups and counseling help families cope with changes. Long-term planning for care, housing, and financial management is essential.

Caregiver Support

Caregiving is demanding; support groups, respite care, and counseling help prevent caregiver depression and burnout. Adult day centers provide supervision and engagement. Care planning should address legal and financial arrangements.

Sources

  1. [1]Lane CA et al.. "Dementia: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment." Nature Reviews Neurology, 2018.
  2. [2]Livingston G et al.. "Cognitive Training and Dementia Prevention." Lancet, 2017.

Medically reviewed by

Medical Review Team, Neurology

Last updated: 2026-02-17Sources: 2

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