Recovery and dementia: promoting choice and challenging controversy

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a viewpoint about why people with dementia should be able to choose Recovery and how this approach might be experienced by them.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper addresses some key challenges to accepting Recovery as an approach for people with dementia by making comparisons with people with mental health difficulties. It then discusses key concepts of Recovery using the connectedness, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment framework and how each one might be experienced by the person with dementia.

Findings

The challenges which cause concerns about the applicability of Recovery to people with dementia are shared by people with mental health difficulties, therefore Recovery should be perceived as an approach suitable for anyone regardless of their diagnosis. Recovery for people with dementia could mean: connecting to the self, others and the world to promote feelings of purposefulness; having hope for the here and now; preserving one’s identity; finding meaning in retaining skills and incorporating dementia into one’s life; and, feeling empowered by keeping one’s mind working, adopting a positive attitude, having control and making decisions.

Practical implications

People with dementia can choose to access Recovery, and commonly voiced concerns can be answered and supported with evidence.

Originality/value

This is one of the only papers written to provide an understanding of how Recovery might be experienced by people living with dementia, and directly answers some concerns.

Citation

Hammond, L.L. and Debney, C. (2017), "Recovery and dementia: promoting choice and challenging controversy", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 297-303. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-06-2017-0025