Restoring control after a dementia diagnosis

Research conducted at Flinders University suggests a new approach may help people feel more positive about the future after a diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), write Professor Kate Laver, Dr Miia Rahja, and Amelia Winter.

Approximately 240 people are diagnosed with dementia or MCI – a precursor to dementia – every day in Australia. Diagnosis most often occurs when symptoms are mild.

However, a dementia or MCI diagnosis can be confronting, and many people will struggle to come to terms with their diagnosis. Additionally, some people will experience grief related to actual or perceived loss associated with their diagnosis and may experience impacts to their self-esteem.

Unfortunately, despite the known impacts to wellbeing of receiving a dementia or MCI diagnosis, many people don’t receive support for their wellbeing in the early days post-diagnosis. Instead, the only receive support when their symptoms are more severe, and their quality of life has been significantly affected.

The research team aimed to change this by looking at ways people can receive support sooner and slow the progress of dementia, enabling them to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.