Steering through the waves and adjusting to transitions in dementia

In this final chapter of the book Evidence-Informed Approaches for Managing Dementia Transitions: Riding the Waves, we summarize the common messages across the preceding chapters with a focus on what can be done to ease transitions in dementia. The chapter focuses on the need to establish equilibrium and well-being and is organized around eight themes using the acronym R-E-A-D-J-U-S-T. The first theme stresses the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of the need for change. The second alludes to expectations and proposes the use of knowledge for adjusting what we think might be forthcoming. The third focusses on the urgency to maintain some level of autonomy for the person living with dementia. The fourth encourages institutions and organizations to foster dementia-friendly environments to ease the transitions. The fifth reflects on the need to respond to small changes as people with dementia and their carers are given time to adjust. The sixth discusses the different facets of the self and how these might be differentially affected by dementia as the person experiences the transitions. The seventh advocates for savoring the moments of change, and the eighth strengthens the common message of reliance on a team of helpers. The chapter ties these themes with a call for more research and reinforcement for inclusion of the voices of people with dementia.