Which of the following is true of a person using early-stage dementia communication patterns?

• A. They consistently use nonsensical language and are unable to communicate any needs.
• B. They may have difficulty finding the right words but can usually follow simple conversations.
• C. They are typically unable to recognize familiar people or places.
• D. They often lose the ability to speak in complete sentences.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the characteristics of early-stage dementia, which primarily affects memory and language but does not completely impair communication abilities.
2. Step 2: Recognize that in early-stage dementia, individuals often experience word-finding difficulties, meaning they struggle to recall specific words but can still engage in conversations.
3. Step 3: Note that despite these difficulties, people in early-stage dementia can usually follow simple conversations and understand what is being said to them.
4. Step 4: Differentiate early-stage symptoms from more advanced stages, where nonsensical language, inability to recognize familiar people or places, and loss of sentence structure are more common.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement 'They may have difficulty finding the right words but can usually follow simple conversations' accurately describes communication patterns in early-stage dementia.