ABSTRACT
Cognition-focused approaches have traditionally been a central element of psychosocial intervention in dementia care. One of the earliest forms of psychosocial intervention for people with moderate to severe dementia was reality orientation (Woods, 1992), and there has been a continuing interest in developing approaches aimed at enhancing cognitive functioning. In recent years, following the trend towards earlier detection and diagnosis of dementia, cognition-focused approaches have been implemented for people in the earlier stages of dementia, most commonly those with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or vascular dementia. A considerable number of studies have been reported in the research literature, and these can be dif®cult to classify reliably. In particular, the terminology adopted is sometimes at variance with the nature of the intervention. In previous work I have argued that, irrespective of what researchers call their interventions, it is possible to identify three main strands of cognition-focused approach: cognitive stimulation, cognitive training, and cognitive rehabilitation. As noted above, these terms are used somewhat interchangeably in the literature, and this can give rise to some confusion; additionally, some interventions may combine elements of more than one of these. However, the following de®nitions (Clare, Woods, Moniz-Cook, Spector, & Orrell, 2003) have been developed in an attempt to provide a basis for clarity:
· Cognitive stimulation involves engagement in a range of group activities and discussions aimed at enhancing cognitive and social functioning.
