Description
This article examines how patients can be helped to
adjust to the diagnosis of dementia. It hypothesises that the
whole diagnostic process, i.e. pre-diagnostic counselling, the
assessment itself, the sharing of the diagnosis, and postdiagnostic
counselling, is important to the initial phase of
adjustment. In the longer term, patient (personality) factors,
carer factors and service provision factors will influence
adjustment. Support groups for patients in the early stages of
dementia may aid the adjustment process.
