Every person with dementia is an individual with differing backgrounds and needs. Their presentation will be influenced by many factors including their neurological impairment, their physical and mental health, their personality, their life history, relationships and the social environment where they are cared for. All these elements must be understood and taken into account. Some of these are fixed, some can be changed, especially the social environment, but also some other aspects of health. Due to their neurological impairment, people with dementia need extra help in forming and maintaining relationships, and will not always give much back in return.

Where the treatment of a person with dementia does not take account of all the factors influencing presentation, they are more likely to experience distress, suffer complications or inappropriate treatments or decisions, resulting in unnecessary disability and extended hospital stays. Much of the agitated and aggressive behaviour seen on wards is the patient's response to how they perceive staff are treating them.