title: Managing the patient with dementia.
abstract: Dementia due to degenerative changes or to some chronic disorders involves gradual loss of function, and it is important that the patient, spouse, and family know what to expect. Counseling from the physician at an early stage can help the patient maintain a normal level of functioning as long as possible and prepare the family and spouse to deal with changes as they occur.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling; D003624:Darkness; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D012648:Self Care; D012890:Sleep