Needs of people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease: reviewing the evidence.

The focus of this literature search was on the needs of older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Very little research has been published directly related to the concept of needs, so concepts were identified by implicitly pulling them from the foci of articles. Identified articles were written outside the framework of the person with AD-from the perspective of the providers and caregivers. To get the person's perspective, the search was expanded to find"self-identified" needs of the person with AD and by widening the medical subject heading terms. The collection of work found indicated retained awareness of the person with AD well into the disease process and that this awareness is not recognized by professionals or caregivers. The result is that older adults with AD are not consulted in determining their needs or having a voice in their plan of care. Also identified were the needs for early diagnosis, to be heard, for information and knowledge, for safety, health promotion, and emotional and cognitive support.