Advance Care Planning in Early Stage Dementia

Dementia is a chronic illness that involves progressive loss of cognitive and functional abilities. In the early stages, persons with dementia actively face their cognitive decline, adjust to cognitive loss, and are able to take an active role in discussing values and preferences for future care. Preparing patients and families for what to expect in the course of dementia is vital in ascertaining an individual's wishes regarding supportive and life-sustaining interventions. Nurse practitioners in primary care have a responsibility to initiate advance care planning conversations with persons in the early stages of dementia.