ABSTRACT
The biomedical model assumes a causal relationship between brain disease and dementia, yet this fails to acknowledge the complexity of the human experience of dementia. A number of factors conspire to corrupt the understanding of a person with dementia, and act as a significant impediment to crossing the distance. In turn the dominance of the medical model is secured. People are a rich tapestry of needs and preferences, hurts and fears, doubts and insecurities, strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, emotions and habits. The subjective experience of dementia is to occupy both a world of knowing and not knowing. The neuropathological destruction of most recent memories leaves only those from the past, and it is these that constitute the foundation of a life to be lived again. Cheston and Bender argue for a model of dementia that addresses the subjective state of experience and feeling. This chapter represents an attempt to comprehend this internal world.
