Quality of Life in People Living with Dementia: Personalized Early Diagnosis, Individual Empowerment, and Community Inclusion

The quality of life for individuals living with dementia appears to be a significant challenge. To date, the determinants that play a key role in maximizing their daily life have not been highlighted, remaining a widely neglected area of scientific study and intervention. This contribution focuses on elements that are most likely to lead people who are on the verge of aging toward quality aging despite dementia, considering that individuals are capable of shaping, influencing, or regulating their own trajectory throughout their lifespan. A fundamental premise of this proposal is the notion that an individual’s capacity to regulate their own growth and development over the course of their life determines their overall well-being, and that trajectories of dementia can be classified as “successful” or “unsuccessful” based on this regulatory process. The proposal outlines specific actions aimed at fostering well-being throughout the dementia process, including the early diagnosis of dementia, the empowerment of individuals during their lifespan, and the creation of a dementia-friendly community that ensures full participation in everyday activities. These actions are intended to enhance and maximize dementia pathways. The implementation of these strategies necessitates a cultural transformation concerning the perception of dementia. Illustrative examples of this cultural shift will be drawn from the recent research conducted in the Bergamo region.