ABSTRACT
Definitions of dementia include aspects of memory loss, but also the disruption of problem-solving activities which impacts on a person's ability to perform tasks that are required for daily living. The loss of higher cortical functioning changes how the person can interact with the world, impacting on their behaviour. Dementia is an umbrella term for a syndrome, which is a collection of symptoms that may be caused by a number of diseases. A broader and inclusive approach to dementia care has been suggested through a whole-systems approach that accommodates both approaches, where these concepts become the building blocks in a dementia-care framework. The focus of non-pharmacological interventions has been to find meaningful and engaging activities. Engagement of both the person with dementia and their families/carers in activities can help them to adapt to changes in memory, communication skills, problem-solving and behaviour by focusing on remaining abilities rather than losses.
