A report from the United Kingdom's Alzheimer's Society, called "My Name is Not Dementia," challenges some strongly-held beliefs. Through interviews with people who have dementia, researchers ranked what is important in their lives:
* Maintaining relationships with family and friends, and having someone to talk to.* Living in a good environment.
* Physical health.
* Keeping a sense of humor.
* Having the ability to communicate.
* Maintaining a sense of personal identity.
* Ability to participate in activities that provide enjoyment.
* Church attendance and/or practice of faith or religion.
Author Sir Terry Pratchett, who has posterior cortical atrophy, a rare form of dementia, welcomed the study.
"Dementia is undoubtedly a cruel and debilitating condition," he told the Independent. "However, a diagnosis does not strip a person of their identity. That person still has a voice and they deserve to be heard. Dementia requires not just care but also understanding. We have to learn to be good at it."
The article in Nursing in Practice.
The article in the Independent of London.
The article from the Alzheimer's Society.
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