A relational approach to providing care for a person suffering from dementia

This paper examines the care provision for people suffering from dementia and explores the potential benefits associated with an approach to care that emphasizes the importance of relationships.

Recent research findings have provided an incentive to re-evaluate the established approaches to care for this client group. Two separate studies identified education and intellectual stimulation as important determinants of the onset of Alzheimer's disease (Ott et al. 1995, Snowdon et al. 1996). These findings have encouraged the hypothesis that potential symptomatic benefits may be achieved by providing a more stimulating environment for people with dementia.

A case study is outlined which illustrates an approach to caring influenced by the Continental philosopher, Emmanuel Levinas. Primacy is given to the relationships that make up caring, and not to a method that sets out to achieve an identified objective. The issue of mutual responsibility within the provision of care is highlighted in the case study.

The hypothesis presented in this paper is that a person has more of an opportunity to develop to the limits of their potential by establishing the importance of relationships in providing care by means of education and training of the people involved. The beneficiaries might be the caregiver or the person in receipt of care.

An environment that attempts to educate people to recognize the importance of relationships will be more effective in achieving the potential benefits of symptom alleviation identified by the research into Alzheimer's disease outlined in this paper.