Authors: Linda Clare
Summary:
Awareness of the need to improve accessibility of services and opportunities for people with disabilities is growing, but people with “hidden” disabilities such as dementia can be excluded from these developments. Conceptualizing dementia in terms of social disability highlights the way in which symptoms such as memory problems—and the secondary effects of these, such as loss of confidence or negative reactions from others—affect the possibility of engaging in activities and participating in society. It also suggests some practical solutions that can support participation and inclusion and promote the ability to live well. Activity limitation and participation restriction can be tackled from two directions. From a community perspective, the focus is on dismantling external barriers to participation by changing public attitudes and creating accessible, dementia-friendly environments. A growing social movement led by people with dementia, Alzheimer associations, and supporters promotes acceptance, inclusion, and awareness of rights. From a personal perspective, the focus is on enabling people with dementia to participate in everyday life, and in their families and communities, in a way that is meaningful to them. This is the aim of rehabilitation.
Source:
PLOS Medicine; 2017, 14 (3): e1002245