Cultures of Dementia Care Different ways of thinking

Cultures of Dementia Care

Different ways of thinking; different ways of talking � How we think about people with dementia is influenced greatly by the language used in writing about dementia and dementia care. � The term ‘discourse’ is often used to describe ways of writing and speaking that are adopted by particular power groups or professions in order to establish their field of expertise and exclude those who don't ‘speak the language’.

Different ways of thinking; different ways of talking � The most dominant discourse related to dementia is the biomedical discourse. � Many practitioners, even though committed to person-centred practice, still accept this as being the ‘correct’ way to write about people with dementia.

Different ways of thinking; different ways of talking � Using this language limits the possibility for reflection, ideas to move forwards and ‘seeing things differently’.

Kitwood (1995) � Kitwood (1995) distinguished between what he termed an ‘old culture’ and a ‘new culture’ of dementia care. � These two cultures speak very different languages.

Old culture � The language of old culture is dominated by terms and concepts such as ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Victim Sufferer Disease ‘problem’ or ‘challenging’ behaviour Aggression Management/control Stages of dementia Progressive, global deterioration

Old culture � Read and consider the given quotes

� These quotes are from medical text books but are not person-centred views of dementia. � They overlook the uniqueness of the person ignore the factors other than the organic disease which may cause changes in behaviour.

� Today people with dementia are still described as though they are no longer entirely human. � Terms such as the ‘living death’, the ‘death that leaves the body behind’ and the ‘burden’ of dementia all contribute to a negative impression.