Dementia as a disability
Dementia is not just a medical diagnosis. It encompasses a substantial disability that impacts a person’s daily functioning and quality of life. In this context, it is crucial to explore how dementia fits the definition of disability in the human-rights framework alongside the relevant UK legislation and the global landscape.
Dementia leads to progressive cognitive decline, memory loss, and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving, and communication. These impairments can substantially affect a person's ability to carry out everyday activities, such as managing finances, maintaining personal hygiene, and participating in social functions and interactions. Recognising dementia as a disability acknowledges the significant impact these cognitive and functional issues have on daily living.
In many countries, including the UK, recognising dementia as a disability provides individuals with legal rights and protection under disability legislation. For instance, the Equality Act 2010 in the UK protects individuals from discrimination and mandates reasonable adjustments in workplaces and public spaces, enabling those with a dementia to have equal access to opportunities and services. Reframing dementia as a disability ensures that people affected by it can access various support services and resources tailored to their specific needs. This includes eligibility for financial support, access to healthcare services, and tailored community programs designed to assist those living with cognitive impairments, helping them maintain their independence as much as, and for as long as, possible. This approach can foster greater public awareness and understanding of the condition.
Viewing dementia through the disability lens can reduce stigma and misconceptions surrounding dementia, promoting a more compassionate and informed society. When dementia is seen as a disability, it encourages public discourse about the difficulties and hardship faced by those affected, and the importance of inclusion and support. It can also lead to interventions and adaptations that enhance individuals' quality of life and their loved ones. By providing appropriate support, appropriate technological means, and assistance for informal carers and families, those with dementia can experience optimal quality of life and well-being, retaining as much autonomy as possible while living with a dementia.
Quite reasonably, this approach empowers individuals and their families to advocate for their rights becoming protagonists of their own story. This recognition can become a fertile ground to stronger community actions, trigger policy changes, and lead to more resources allocated to research and support services. It encourages individuals to voice their experiences and needs, leading to a more personalised approach to care and support based on what matters to them rather than what we think might do on their behalf.
This broadened perspective can help include a wider array of experiences in discussions about disability rights and social inclusion. It highlights that disability is not merely a physical condition but encompasses a range of mental and cognitive impairments that can profoundly affect individuals' lives.
~ adapted from DSDC’s Best Practice in Dementia Care Learning Programme workbook.
