Dementia
Introduction
Dementia is diminished brain function caused by diseases such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. The UK’s ageing population means that increasing numbers of people, their families, healthcare staff and carers are having to deal with the difficulties that these conditions can cause. At the same time, developments in neuroscience are increasing our understanding of these conditions and helping us to provide better treatment and care.
Following an exploratory workshop held in March 2007, the Nuffield Council has set up a Working Party to examine the ethical, legal, economic and social issues raised by dementia, chaired by Tony Hope, Professor of Medical Ethics at the University of Oxford.
The group will consider:
- how decisions are made for or with people with dementia;
- the use of advance directives or ‘living wills’ to specify treatment (or non-treatment) at a point in the future when mental capacity may be lost or seriously compromised;
- whether it is acceptable to restrict a person’s freedom for their own safety, for example by locking doors, or deceive them for their own good, for example by disguising medication in food;
- whether people with dementia should ever be given experimental treatments;
- how conflicts between the interests of the individual and their carers can be resolved, for example where a husband benefits from his wife’s care, but she can no longer cope;
- the implications of changes in behaviour for the individual and for their relationships with other people.
The Working Party will be seeking the views of people with dementia, carers, health professionals, policy makers, and other members of the public on these issues during spring and summer 2008. A report with conclusions and recommendations will be published in mid-2009.
Last Updated Tue, 13 May 2008