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'The demented other': identity and difference in dementia
1Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. ursula.naue@univie.ac.at
Summary
This study examines how dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, affects a person's identity and sense of self. It explores how societal views and biopolitics influence the perception and care of individuals with dementia.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Mind
- Medical Sociology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Dementia diagnosis often implies a loss of rationality, a key component of personal identity.
- This perception frames individuals with dementia as 'other' and a loss of self.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the impact of identity and difference concepts on persons with dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease.
- To analyze the relationship between identity and difference within the context of dementia.
- To examine the biopolitics of dementia and aging and its influence on socio-political-medical understanding.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of identity theories in relation to dementia.
- Examination of biopolitical frameworks surrounding dementia and aging.
- Exploration of theoretical concepts alongside practical healthcare and political contexts.
Main Results:
- Dementia is often equated with a loss of identity and self, leading to the categorization of affected individuals as different or other.
- The concepts of identity and difference are central to understanding the lived experience and societal perception of dementia.
- Biopolitics significantly shapes the medical and social understanding of dementia and aging.
Conclusions:
- Rethinking identity and difference is crucial for challenging the othering of individuals with dementia.
- Understanding the biopolitical context is essential for improving dementia care practices.
- Addressing the complex interplay between theory and practice can enhance care possibilities for persons with dementia.
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