Why must dementia not be viewed as disability? (Give example)

People with dementia can live active and fulfilled lives with little assistance from others or assistive technology. They experience emotion like everybody else. They have their identity, a history of present, past and future. They are aware of their independence and dignity. Treatment for dementia is also under development. Treatable disease or treatment under research cannot be described, defined or explained as disability.

Example: Mrs A has difficulties in remembering her daily tasks. A simple note can help her to remember her daily tasks. Gentle reminder (from alarm clock to our daily note) required in every person’s life even without dementia. Mrs A is not different from us. Picture, cards and facial expression may help a person to communicate if someone have communication problems.

By Md. Foisal Miah Talukdar

What impact could the attitudes and behaviours of others have on an individual living with dementia?

The implication of dementia on a person and his or her relatives and who care for them can be devastating. In the early stages of the disease, life of a person with dementia and their families and relatives may not change a great deal. But when dementia becomes more serious however, home life for the person with dementia will not be easy as family and relatives will find it tiring and stressful. It is quite common people with dementia have sleep disturbance. So family and relative may experience sleep deprivation. Also providing personal care to a person with dementia by  family or relative may cause physical injury. The following impact can occur:

·        Stress

·        Melancholy

·        Tiring

·        Insomnia

·        Difficulties maintaining family life and work life balance

·        Difficulties maintaining social life

·        Physical and emotional harm

By Md. Foisal Miah Talukdar