Dementia. Changing Medical Terminology in the Field of Cognitive Disorders as a Method of Combating Stigma

Insufficient amount of public awareness and knowledge about dementia often leads to stigma, which has significant negative consequences for people with dementia, as well as for their caregivers. Stigma interferes with proper patient care, leads to worse prognosis for people with dementia, increases their social isolation and reduces patients’ access to rehabilitation resources. Also, people with mild cognitive disorder (MCD) may suffer from social isolation and internal stress even with mild cognitive decline. Thus, the option of moving away from medical terminology should be considered, in an attempt to reduce the negative impact on people’s consciousness.