Dementing illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease, cause great changes in individuals – sometimes even leading us to say that they are “different persons”. Professional caregivers to these individuals may better understand them and their suffering (and thus provide more compassionate care), if they look at the illness in the context of the individual's life. Although their personhood has been threatened by dementia, appreciating the gestalt, or integrity of their lives may help preserve it. The clinical focus, which currently looks only at problems, should also assess the individual's remaining strengths, positive functions and characteristics. A case scenario helps to illustrate these suggestions. Some recommendations to researchers, clinicians and bioethicists for further study in this area are included.
