The aesthetic approach to people with dementia

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Medicine
• Ethics
• Gerontology

Background:

• Current approaches to dementia care often focus on functional aspects.
• There is a need for a deeper philosophical understanding of personhood in dementia.
• Ethical considerations in dementia care require nuanced perspectives beyond basic virtues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an "aesthetic" approach to interacting with people with dementia.
• To explore the philosophical underpinnings of personhood for individuals with dementia.
• To establish an ethical framework for human relationships with those affected by dementia.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical inquiry and conceptual analysis.
• Ethical reasoning and argumentation.
• Exploration of existential and phenomenological perspectives on personhood.

Main Results:

• The proposed "aesthetic" approach emphasizes a relational understanding of the person with dementia.
• This perspective moves beyond empirical observations to a deeper ethical engagement.
• It redefines our stance as human beings in relation to individuals experiencing dementia.

Conclusions:

• An aesthetic approach offers a profound ethical framework for dementia care.
• Understanding personhood in dementia is crucial for respectful and meaningful interaction.
• This philosophical perspective guides how we ought to relate to individuals with dementia.