The critical importance of adopting a ‘personhood lens’ in reframing support and care for those with dementia

Abstract

It is essential that people with dementia are afforded dignity and respect, and engaged socially for optimal support and care. This goal, that values and supports personhood, is not easily translated into practice. This chapter focuses on heightening awareness of the importance of providing person-centred, socially-engaged and dignity-preserving care and discusses the experiences and shared insights of 346 students enrolled in a unit in the online Bachelor of Dementia Care programme offered through the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. This focus enabled students to learn about and reflect with a ‘personhood lens’, building on their prior knowledge and experience. Further, this focus provided a theoretical framework through which students were able to enact person-centred values across care settings and contribute to the social reframing of dementia.