title: Experiences of persons with early-onset dementia in everyday life: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The small number of existing studies confirms that people with early-onset dementia (EOD) need special assistance from the beginning and as the disease progresses. There is a need to develop services to respond to the specific needs of persons with EOD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find out how people experience living with early-onset dementia, and to assess the implications for practice and the development of further services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Grounded theory, a qualitative method, with interviews of 20 informants (aged 54-67 years; 12 of them men) during 2010-2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One category, the process toward a dementia diagnosis, covered two subcategories; describing changes and being diagnosed. Another category fighting for dignity describes how the informants try to maintain their quality of life, covering two subcategories; intrapsychic challenges and social challenges.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health services should give persons with EOD the ability to maintain contact with society and their voices should not be overlooked.
authors: Norwegian Centre for Research, Education and Service Development, Norway; Nordic School of Public Health, Sweden.
authors: Aud
authors: A
authors: Johannessen
authors: Anders
authors: A
authors: Möller
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: early-onset dementia; health promotion; health services; subjective experiences; young persons with dementia