Evidence-Informed Approaches for Managing Dementia Transitions - Chapter 1: Improving the lived experience of dementia transitions

Dementia is a common, progressive, chronic condition associated with cognitive impairment, particularly in seniors. In the absence of a cure, much attention is focused on providing care for people with the disease and support for their families and friends who provide most of the care. As the condition changes, the care needs of people with dementia change too. The result is typically a long series of transitions in health status, locations, organizations, practices, and people. This chapter introduces aspects of the lived experience, management, and epidemiology of dementia and some of the significant transitions that people with the disease and their caregivers frequently encounter. It then considers some research designed to identify factors associated with good transitions in dementia care and finally to discuss the nature of "good" itself, in the context of living with dementia.