Rights in Mind: Thinking Differently About Dementia and Disability

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Disability Studies
• Gerontology

Background:

• Dementia is often viewed through a medical lens, overlooking social and environmental factors.
• The lived experiences and self-identification of people with dementia as disabled are under-explored.
• Existing discourse frequently frames dementia using negative language, impacting perception and rights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for a relational model of disability as a framework for conceptualizing dementia.
• To investigate whether dementia aligns with disability frameworks and if people with dementia identify as disabled.
• To examine the political activism and advocacy efforts by individuals with dementia.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of disability models applied to dementia.
• Review of political activism and advocacy by people with dementia.
• Exploration of the influence of language and environment on dementia experiences.

Main Results:

• A relational model provides a robust framework for understanding dementia as a disability.
• People with dementia engage in political activism, challenging societal perceptions.
• Negative language and environmental barriers significantly shape the experience of dementia.

Conclusions:

• A relational model of disability is essential for a human rights-based approach to dementia care and policy.
• Collaborative partnerships between people with dementia and disability communities are crucial.
• Recognizing dementia as a disability empowers individuals and promotes inclusive practices.