Dementia: ethical issues - Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Dementia: ethical issues - Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Dementia: ethical issues - Nuffield Council on Bioethics
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04<br />
NUFFIELD COUNCIL<br />
ON BIOETHICS<br />
What is an <str<strong>on</strong>g>ethical</str<strong>on</strong>g> approach<br />
to care?<br />
Good, <str<strong>on</strong>g>ethical</str<strong>on</strong>g> care recognises the value<br />
of the pers<strong>on</strong> with dementia. It aims to<br />
promote their well-being and aut<strong>on</strong>omy.<br />
At the same time, it pays attenti<strong>on</strong> to the<br />
interests of carers who provide so much of<br />
the day-to-day support.<br />
We c<strong>on</strong>clude…<br />
How things are d<strong>on</strong>e, so that people with dementia feel that they<br />
are valued individuals, will often be far more important than the<br />
particular structure or format of services [para 3.5].<br />
Professi<strong>on</strong>als and care workers should treat families as ‘partners in care’,<br />
reflecting the solidarity being shown within the family [para 3.12].<br />
Diagnosis<br />
Early diagnosis has important benefits, but not every pers<strong>on</strong> with<br />
dementia will find that these advantages outweigh the possible<br />
disadvantages. A timely diagnosis is <strong>on</strong>e which is at the right time for<br />
the pers<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>cerned, and for their family.<br />
We c<strong>on</strong>clude…<br />
People should have access to good quality assessment and support<br />
from the time they, or their families, become c<strong>on</strong>cerned about<br />
symptoms that relate to a possible diagnosis of dementia. Doctors<br />
giving a diagnosis of dementia should actively encourage the<br />
pers<strong>on</strong> with dementia to share informati<strong>on</strong> with their family<br />
[paras 3.18–3.24].<br />
There is some evidence to suggest that people in some cultural<br />
groups may be more hesitant in coming forward for diagnosis than<br />
those from other cultural groups, possibly because of stigma<br />
(see also page 6).