In Perspectives 2.0 we focus on non-medical research that looks at LIVING with dementia.

“Perspectives on Living Well with Dementia”

This recent study, published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology (2025), asked people with dementia about “living well with dementia” and what this meant to them. People living with dementia shared that the moment of the diagnosis was life changing, and for some, very traumatic. They also said they might not have been living well right after the diagnosis as they came to terms with it. The process of acceptance took time. Some described it as a “back and forth” process. People living with dementia also shared:

• Moving on with their life and carrying on with the things they used to do.
• Wanting to be included and treated normally.
• Realizing they needed help with things, but getting too much help was frustrating and demoralizing.
• Wanting to contribute and be of help to others.
• Feeling the importance of making every moment count.
• Focusing on the things in life that gave them joy, even the ordinary things, and with the people they cared about.
• Accepting that there are good days and bad days.
• Trying to be kind to themselves when they have bad days or difficulties.
• Coping by adapting – trying to change their mindset, focusing on what they can do, maintaining activities, slowing down, and changing how they do things.
• Relying on their social support (family and friends) in helping them to live well.
• Trying to take care of both their physical and emotional well-being.

Overall, study participants were clear in saying that each person with dementia is different, with a different experience. And that it is possible to live well, while experiencing the changes of dementia. 

The study results called for broader “multi-dimensional” (more than medical) approaches to supporting people living with dementia, including physical, emotional, social, spiritual and daily living. It also called for professionals to develop strategies to support people living with dementia that are:

• Individualized
• Focusing on strengths, including inner strengths of people like resilience
• Creating physical and social environments that enable people to do the things they want to do
• Supporting overall well-being

This study was published in 2025 in the Journal of Applied Gerontology by authors Sheila Molony, Sam Fazio, Cynthia Barrere, Sheryl Zimmerman, Ricci Sanchez, Joseph Montminy, Maureen Rulison, Rachel Montesano & Kimberly Van Haitsma.