Human Rights in Dementia Care

Human rights are a key issue for all healthcare and social care practitioners, and almost every aspect of dementia care has a human rights dimension. How can we balance the individual’s right for dignity, autonomy and privacy against the backdrop of time constraints, duty of care and limited resources? Can a person with dementia be supported to participate in decision making? Is assistive technology always empowering? What must it feel like to be denied a dementia- specific service because of one’s age?

This practice guide addresses these along with other critical questions, helping you to better understand the diverse and often complex dimensions of dementia caregiving. It provides a new framework to enable you to apply a human rights approach to real life situations, placing the person with dementia at the centre stage and keeping their dignity, independence, sense of purpose and quality of life at the fore. The book builds on person-centred principles, uses case studies to demonstrate theory and provides new analytical tools to support all those committed to best practice in dementia care.

Suzanne Cahill is Adjunct Professor of Social Work and Social Policy Trinity College Dublin, Honorary Professor of Dementia Care, NUI Galway, Affiliated Professor of Health and Welfare, Jonkoping University, Sweden.

Fiona Kelly is a former lecturer in nursing at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Her own practice, teaching and research are informed by human rights.

Helen Rochford-Brennan is a Global Dementia Ambassador, Vice Chair of the Irish Dementia Working Group, former Chairperson of the European Working Group of People with Dementia and its nominee to the Board of Alzheimer Europe.