Cognitive training and cognitive rehabilitation for people with early-stage dementia

The aims of psychosocial intervention for people with early-stage dementia are essentially those of rehabilitation. That is to say, the focus should be an attempt to optimize functioning and wellbeing, and to support the person’s social system, thus facilitating continued engagement and participation. It can be argued that a focus on rehabilitation is consistent with the person-centred approach advocated by Kitwood, emphasizing the potential disabling effects of negative social environments and the importance of attempting to counter the resulting excess disability and thus support the selfhood of the person with dementia.