The Normative Crises of Families Confronting Dementia

Abstract

As the number of persons with irreversible dementia continues to rise, human service professionals in community-based agencies and institutions need to be knowledgeable about the disease and its impact on families. Practitioners can assist family caregivers by anticipating their needs and helping them work through the series of crises that can be expected to develop over the course of the disease A model for understanding the major stressors experienced by caregivers is presented. Each normative crisis is described and helpful interventions are discussed.