What to Do If Someone You Love Has Early Dementia
Last Updated: December 2025
Dr. Jessica Knape of HealthSpan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, discusses how an early dementia diagnosis can be a starting point for proactive, science-based care. She emphasizes compassionate guidance, early intervention, and targeting modifiable factors to better support patients and families.
Hearing that a loved one has early dementia can feel overwhelming. You may not know what to expect, what to do, or how to help. The truth is, early dementia is not the end of the story — it’s the beginning of a new approach to care.
At HealthSpan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, we help families navigate this diagnosis with clarity, compassion, and science-based strategies. Many causes of cognitive decline are modifiable — and early action makes the biggest difference.
The HealthSpan Summary
Early dementia doesn’t mean nothing can be done.
Many reversible factors — inflammation, sleep issues, medications, hormones, and metabolic health — can improve cognition.
Building a strong care team and healthy routine supports both the person and their family.
Emotional connection, structure, and purposeful living preserve brain function longer than most people realize.
1. Take a Deep Breath — and Get the Right Diagnosis
“Dementia” describes a set of symptoms, not one single disease.
The first step is to confirm the cause and stage.
Ask your clinician for a comprehensive evaluation, including:
Cognitive testing (MoCA or CNS Vital Signs)
Blood tests for thyroid, B12, glucose, inflammation, and hormones
Medication review (some drugs can worsen confusion)
Brain MRI (to look for vascular changes, atrophy, or other causes)
Sleep assessment for apnea or hypoxia
Depression screening (low mood can mimic dementia)
At HealthSpan, we also evaluate metabolic, mitochondrial, and inflammatory markers that influence brain energy and resilience.
Sometimes, what looks like dementia can be partially reversible — especially when caught early.
2. Learn About the Type of Dementia
Different dementias have distinct patterns and treatment priorities:
Alzheimer’s disease: driven by amyloid, tau, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction.
Vascular dementia: linked to circulation, blood pressure, and small-vessel disease.
Lewy body dementia: involves Parkinson-like symptoms, visual hallucinations, and REM sleep changes.
Frontotemporal dementia: often presents with personality or language changes.
Understanding the type helps guide nutrition, medications, and support planning.
3. Build a Care Team Early
A strong team prevents burnout and ensures continuity of care. Include:
Primary care or memory specialist for diagnosis and medication management.
Functional medicine clinician to address reversible contributors (hormones, inflammation, toxins).
Nutrition and fitness professionals for meal planning and movement routines.
Counselor or social worker for emotional support and resources.
No one should face dementia alone — and coordinated care improves quality of life for everyone.
4. Focus on What Can Be Optimized
While we can’t yet “cure” dementia, many aspects of brain health remain modifiable.
Here’s where to start:
A. Metabolic and Nutritional Health
Balance blood sugar with whole-food, low-glycemic meals (consider KetoFlex 12/3).
Prioritize omega-3s, leafy greens, and antioxidants.
Limit processed foods, sugars, and alcohol.
B. Sleep and Oxygen
Screen for sleep apnea; treat it if present.
Encourage consistent bedtime and quiet, dark rooms.
Support deep sleep to help the brain “clean house” each night.
C. Movement
Aim for daily activity — walking, yoga, or strength training.
Exercise increases blood flow, boosts mood, and supports mitochondrial repair.
D. Hormone and Inflammation Balance
Test thyroid, vitamin D, and sex hormones.
Address inflammation with omega-3s, curcumin, and anti-inflammatory diet.
Consider peptides or mitochondrial support if clinically appropriate.
E. Cognitive and Emotional Stimulation
Encourage puzzles, reading, conversation, and learning new skills.
Social connection is as protective as medication.
5. Support Emotional and Relationship Health
Dementia affects families, not just individuals.
Be gentle with yourself and your loved one.
What helps most:
Keep routines predictable — structure reduces anxiety.
Focus on feelings, not just facts. Connection matters more than correction.
Simplify communication — eye contact, short sentences, warmth.
Involve your loved one in meaningful tasks: cooking, gardening, music, or art.
Even as memory fades, emotional memory — the sense of love, safety, and belonging — often remains strong.
6. Explore Emerging and Functional Options
Research into dementia prevention and treatment is accelerating.
Ask your clinician about:
Clinical trials for anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory, or metabolic therapies.
Compassionate-use programs (such as TB006, a galectin-3 inhibitor).
Oxygen therapies (HBOT, EWOT) for mitochondrial and vascular support.
Hormone optimization (especially estrogen, thyroid, testosterone).
Nutrient protocols (B vitamins, omega-3s, CoQ10, NAD+ precursors).
These interventions should complement — not replace — standard care.
7. Plan Ahead, But Stay Present
Early dementia offers a window for planning — legally, financially, and personally — while your loved one can still participate in decisions.
At the same time, daily joy matters.
Encourage autonomy for as long as possible.
Discuss advance directives early.
Celebrate small wins and shared experiences.
Your relationship can evolve — sometimes deepening — when you focus on connection instead of loss.
8. Take Care of Yourself, Too
Caregiver stress is real and can lead to burnout or depression.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Accept help — from friends, family, or respite care.
Join a local or online dementia caregiver group.
Keep your own medical appointments, movement, and sleep habits.
Practice gratitude or mindfulness; small moments of calm help you both.
Caring for yourself is part of caring for your loved one.
Bottom Line
A diagnosis of early dementia is not the end of hope — it’s the beginning of action, adaptation, and connection.
The earlier you address underlying causes — metabolic, inflammatory, hormonal, or vascular — the more progress you can make.
With coordinated care, emotional support, and evidence-based strategies, your loved one can live meaningfully for many years to come.
Schedule a Brain & Cognitive Support Evaluation with Dr. Knape to assess your loved one’s cognitive needs, explore tailored care strategies, and develop a compassionate, evidence-based plan that supports brain health for your entire family.
Ready to take action for your brain health?
👉 Join the 12-week Brainspan Bootcamp and start building lifelong brain resilience
Sources
Understanding and Supporting a Person with Dementia — Alzheimer’s Society
Caregiver Tips for the Early Stages of Dementia — Caregiver Support Network
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Jessica Knape, MD, MA Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Integrative and Holistic Medicine
Healthspan Internal Medicine — serving patients in Boulder, CO
Book a Discovery Call | About Dr. Knape
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
