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

• A. They are typically unable to recognize familiar people or places.
• B. They rarely experience any changes in their ability to communicate.
• C. They consistently use complex vocabulary and abstract reasoning in conversation.
• D. They may have difficulty finding the right words but can often follow simple conversations.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that early-stage dementia primarily affects memory and language abilities, but not to the extent of complete recognition loss.
2. Recognize that individuals in early-stage dementia often experience word-finding difficulties, which means they might struggle to recall specific words during conversation.
3. Note that despite these difficulties, they can usually follow simple conversations and understand familiar topics.
4. Contrast this with later stages of dementia, where recognition of familiar people or places becomes impaired and communication abilities decline more severely.
5. Conclude that the statement 'They may have difficulty finding the right words but can often follow simple conversations' accurately reflects communication patterns in early-stage dementia.