ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the specific ethical issues relating to the care of people with dementia. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for approximately 62 per cent of people with dementia. Unpaid carers play an important part in supporting people with dementia. They may be a partner, a relative or a friend providing practical physical and/or emotional support, helping a person to retain independence and advocating on their behalf. Carers in England have legal rights. Communication is a key in the care of people with dementia, but there are significant challenges. Verbal skills are affected by dementia, as is understanding of spoken and written language. Reminiscence can be valuable for people with dementia. Reminiscence involves discussion about past experiences, events and activities with another person or group, often prompted by photographs, familiar objects, music, sounds or smells from the past.
