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September 16-17, 2019 | Paris, France
Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
13
th
World Congress on
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry and Cognitive Psychology | Volume: 03
Applying the social model of disability to Dementia
Christine Thelker
Dementia Alliance International (DAI), Canada
I
n this presentation, I will review the social model of
disability and its relevance to dementia, as well as
explore social attitudes and understanding of disability,
disablism and ageism, in relation to dementia. I will
discuss the impact of these on the medical model of care
currently being used globally for people diagnosed with
dementia, and how this model is ensuring dependence on
families, communities and the health care system, as well
as increasing stigma. Since the World Health Organisation
Global Action Plan: A public Health Response to Dementia,
it is now clear we must think outside the box, beyond the
lack of health and social care, which currently is not aligned
to human rights and the CRPD. The empowerment and
involvement of people living with dementia in the last few
years has ensured human rights in dementia have moved
away from pure rhetoric, and this also means society has
a legal and moral obligation to change the model of care
it is currently applying to dementia care, from the time
of diagnosis. Applying the social model of disability to
dementia will also lead to important insights and will help
explain some of the barriers many people with dementia
currently face in terms of poor care. I will close by outlining
a new social and disability model of support based on
rights, and why I believe it will not only improve outcomes
for people with dementia and their families by promoting
independence and a higher quality of life, it will ensure the
currently expected high economic impact on governments
and health care systems by dementia will be minimised.
e:
info@infodai.org