JONG-D: Stress, Anxiety and Sleep Problems in Young-Onset Dementia

Background

Dementia is the most common cognitive disorder. When dementia is diagnosed in people younger than 65, it is referred to as young-onset dementia. Young-onset dementia negatively impacts sleep, anxiety, and stress, which in turn are associated with reduced quality of life and well-being. Current care for people with young-onset dementia focuses mainly on physical and cognitive aspects, with a preference for pharmacological treatment of symptoms. Too little attention is given to psychosocial symptoms such as sleep problems, anxiety, and stress. Moreover, non-pharmacological, psychosocial, and behavioral interventions for this group have not yet been described.

Project Goals

This project aims to reduce sleep problems, anxiety, and stress in people with young-onset dementia through a non-pharmacological therapy. Based on literature and reported needs, an intervention will be developed and refined using co-design. The program will be implemented and evaluated in six day care centers for people with young-onset dementia. Additionally, a coaching tool will be created and a train-the-trainer module will be offered to care providers and healthcare students.