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Tom Kitwood Dementia Care Essay

Decent Essays

From this module I have understood the principle of Tom Kitwood’s work related to person-centred dementia care. Kitwood’s concept of person-centred care approach to dementia places the person with dementia at the centre of their own care. Person with dementia are supported, enabled and are partners in their care through shared decision making, equality of communication and mutual respect. Also, that personhood is “a standing or status that is bestowed upon one human being, by others, it implies recognition, respect and trust”. In the context of dementia care, recognition of personhood or the person’s value as a human being enhances the person’s overall wellbeing and quality of life. However, in care environments the concept of ‘malignant social psychology’ is a barrier in recognising the personhood of an individual with dementia. Malignant social psychology refers to behaviours that undermine the personhood and wellbeing of people with dementia. These behaviours include treachery, disempowerment, infantilisation, intimidation, labelling, stigmatisation, outpacing, invalidation, banishment, objectification, ignoring, imposition, withholding, accusation, disruption, mockery and disparagement. Nevertheless, …show more content…

Non-pharmacological interventions, such as validation therapy, are the first line approach to manage BPSD. However, in emergency cases where there is safety risk for the person with dementia and others, the pharmacological intervention or psychotropic drug are used. Psychotropic drug includes neuroleptics, anxiolytics and antidepressants. Additionally, to improve cognitive function, memory enhancement drugs such as cholinesterase inhibitors are

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