Should Individuals with Dementia Participate in Healthcare Decisions?

This essay addresses the critical question of whether individuals with dementia should be involved in healthcare decision-making. It begins by defining dementia as a neurocognitive condition characterized by memory loss and impaired thinking skills, emphasizing that the ability to make decisions can vary among individuals. The essay argues against the assumption that all dementia patients are incapable of participating in healthcare decisions, highlighting the importance of preserving patient individuality, promoting self-esteem, and maintaining a sense of control. It references supporting evidence, including studies that suggest patients with progressive and moderate dementia can express their preferences and contribute to healthcare planning. The essay concludes by emphasizing the ethical imperative of including dementia patients in decision-making processes, advocating for a shared decision-making approach tailored to individual capabilities.

Should a person living with dementia be involved in decision making
regarding their healthcare?

Dementia is a neurocognitive condition. It is characterized by memory loss, diminished
problem solving and thinking skills. In dementia the persons finds difficulty in performing day to
day activity. As the disease progress the decision making become more complicated. Thus, the
patient required help in decision making process.
We cannot assume that individuals with dementia can't be accepted to be unequipped for
decision making on their assessment alone as they may have preserved capacities. Identifying
the potential of decision making in individuals with dementia and including them in health care
planning adds to maintain the individuality of the patient and satisfaction with promoting self-
esteem and reliability, ("Dementia, Decision Making, and Quality of Life", 2017).
Restricting individual from taking part in decision making process can be resulting in
depression, rage and nuisance. The points of view of individuals with dementia are consistently
overlooked in research.
There are plenty of countries who have supported patient’s right to participate in the
decision making regarding their health care plan by makings law for them. Data suggested,
individuals with dementia, (progressive and moderate) can take part in decision making. They
can express their points, inclination and help in health care process. It is a moral need to include
individuals with dementia to help in decision making process so that they will have the chances
to lead their lives, remain active and dynamic (Miller, Whitlatch and Lyons, 2016). Shared
decision making with individuals with dementia is feasible, however further exploration is
obligatory (Daly, Bunn and Goodman, 2016).
It concludes that a person living with dementia should be involved in decision making
regarding their healthcare planning, however optimal involvement according to patient
capabilities suggested.

Refrerences
Daly, R., Bunn, F., & Goodman, C. (2016). Shared decision-making for people living with
dementia in extended care settings: protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open, 6(11),
e012955. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012955
Dementia, Decision Making, and Quality of Life. (2017). AMA Journal Of Ethics, 19(7), 637
639. doi: 10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.7.fred1-1707
Miller, L., Whitlatch, C., & Lyons, K. (2016). Shared decision-making in dementia: A review of
patient and family carer involvement. Dementia, 15(5), 1141-1157. doi:
10.1177/1471301214555542