Young-onset dementia: a review of the literature and what it means for clinicians

Abstract

It is estimated that more than a half million people in the United States are living with young-onset dementia and another half million with mild cognitive impairment, a precursor of dementia. Relatively little has been written about the psychosocial needs of these people, but information can be extrapolated from the literature on dementia in older adults and the developmental tasks and roles of middle age. This article synthesizes this literature and provides information to help psychiatric nurses and other health care professionals better understand individuals living with young-onset dementia.