Nearly half of all those over age 90 have Alzheimer's disease, which is only one form of dementia. Since more individuals with dementia are living either in their own home or with family, it seems obvious that most chiropractic practices will include one or more dementia patients. The doctor and staff members can do several things that will make this interaction more successful. Armed with the understanding that a dementia impairs the individual's ability to think, understand, reason and remember, the doctor knows to schedule more time with this patient, since communication is slow and the more the patient feels rushed, the more confusion and poor memory result. Routine and stability help a person in the early stages of dementia.
Reassurance is especially important.
When people develop dementia, they are no longer able to trust themselves in ways they have previously taken for granted. It is important that your decisions are ones they now can trust. It is important to develop a relationship with the person's family in order to communicate with them. This, however, places the doctor in a position of needing to keep a balance between the family and the patient. Older people, even those with dementia, are understandably resentful when they are being talked about, rather than talked to.