Dementia
People with dementia, and those who care for them, face difficult ethical dilemmas on a day-to-day basis.
This report concludes that we need to do more as a society to enable people to live well with dementia. We present an ethical framework to help address problems that arise in connection with dementia care, together with recommendations for policy makers.
read more »Teaching resource on the ethics of dementia
The Council has published a teaching resource based on its 2009 report 'Dementia: ethical issues'.
The resource can be used in a wide variety of settings including community groups, medical training, care homes, health care courses and schools.
read more »Education - Teaching resource: exploring ethical issues in dementia
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The Council has published a teaching resource based on its 2009 report 'Dementia: ethical issues'.
The resource includes an adapted version of an ethical framework for dementia, and an accompanying set of scenarios to help people work through dilemmas that may arise in the context of dementia care.
A worked example is provided to help you get started.
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Council welcomes new Dementia Action Alliance
A year after the Council’s report Dementia: ethical issues found that more must be done to support carers and to tackle the stigma of dementia, a Dementia Action Alliance has been set up with the aim of greatly improving quality of life for people with dementia.
read more »Dementia - Dilemmas in care
Download a PDF of Chapter 6 - Dilemmas in care (816KB)
Ethical dilemmas arise on a daily basis for those providing care for people with dementia. The way in which these dilemmas are approached will have significant impact on the lives of people with dementia and their carers. This is why support in dealing with ethical issues is crucial. We discuss several specific dilemmas below.
read more »Dementia - Making decisions
Download a PDF of Chapter 5 - Making decisions (838KB)
People have the legal right to make their own decisions about things such as what medical treatment to accept or where to live, as long as they are capable of doing so. This applies to people with dementia too. As dementia progresses, however, it can get harder for people to make their own decisions.
read more »Dementia - What is an ethical approach to care?
Download a PDF of Chapter 3 - What is an ethical approach to care? (849KB)
Good, ethical care recognises the value of the person with dementia. It aims to promote the well-being and autonomy of the person with dementia. At the same time, it pays attention to the interests of carers who provide so much of the day-to-day support.
read more »Dementia - Introduction
In October 2009, the Council published a report, Dementia: ethical issues, which considers the ethical issues that arise in the context of dementia.
Ethical difficulties arising in dementia include:
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deciding when and how to communicate a diagnosis
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balancing a person’s safety with their need for independence and freedom
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deciding what is in the best interests of the person with dementia, for example when making decisions about their care and treatment
Dementia: ethical issues video
Professor Tony Hope, chair of the Working Party on Dementia, Council member Dr Rhona Knight, and Hugh Whittall, Director of the Council, discuss some of the Council's key recommendations on ethical issues raised by dementia care.
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