Thursday, October 08, 2009

Report Discusses Ethical Issues in Dementia Care

There is no ‘miracle cure’ just around the corner for dementia. And yet while the number of people suffering from dementia is increasing rapidly, there is a widespread lack of understanding about what people with dementia are capable of doing. This report concludes that we need to do more as a society to enable people to live well with dementia. Currently, they are not getting the support and respect that they need.  This report presents an ethical framework to help those who face dilemmas in connection with the everyday care of someone with dementia. The framework forms the basis for a number of recommendations to policy makers in the following areas:  promoting autonomy and well-being through an ethical approach to dementia care; including people with dementia in society; aking decisions about the care and treatment of people with dementia; dealing with day-to-day ethical dilemmas in care; recognising the needs of carers; and research funding and participation.

Source:  Nuffield Council on Bioethics (1 October 2009)
Cite: http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/go/ourwork/dementia/publication_530.html