Dementia constitutes a group of disorders marked by a progressive decline in cognitive function, resulting in a significant loss of independence. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the global prevalence of dementia has surpassed 55 million individuals, with nearly 10 million new cases emerging annually. Given the cognitive decline and progressive nature of these underlying diseases, formal and informal caregivers of individuals with dementia, whether in community-based or institutional settings, encounter a diverse array of moral conflicts pertaining to intervention and decision-making in their care.
Recent studies on moral conflicts in dementia care have highlighted the tension between preserving autonomy and safeguarding patients from harm, particularly in situations involving exposure to abuse, transition to institutional care, and resistance to treatment. Additionally, research has explored moral decision-making complexities at the end of life, emphasizing the balance between duration and quality of life. Topics such as tube feeding versus manual feeding, life-prolonging treatments, palliative care, and advance directives in dementia patients have been subjects of investigation.
The aim of this research topic is to enhance understanding of and insight into these and other moral challenges in the context of dementia care. This calls for a comprehensive perspective that encompasses input from diverse professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, healthcare providers, caregivers, and family members. The research topic considers both home-based and institutional settings to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding these moral conflicts in the care of older adults with dementia.
We seek studies focusing on moral conflicts in dementia care and their ethical analysis, encompassing the following issues:
1. Moral conflicts concerning autonomy, decision-making capacity, and guardianship in individuals with dementia.
2. Moral considerations surrounding advance directives for individuals with dementia.
3. Moral issues during the transition to institutional care for individuals with dementia.
4. Moral conflicts and dilemmas experienced by professionals caring for individuals with dementia in community and institutional settings.
Dementia constitutes a group of disorders marked by a progressive decline in cognitive function, resulting in a significant loss of independence. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the global prevalence of dementia has surpassed 55 million individuals, with nearly 10 million new cases emerging annually. Given the cognitive decline and progressive nature of these underlying diseases, formal and informal caregivers of individuals with dementia, whether in community-based or institutional settings, encounter a diverse array of moral conflicts pertaining to intervention and decision-making in their care.
Recent studies on moral conflicts in dementia care have highlighted the tension between preserving autonomy and safeguarding patients from harm, particularly in situations involving exposure to abuse, transition to institutional care, and resistance to treatment. Additionally, research has explored moral decision-making complexities at the end of life, emphasizing the balance between duration and quality of life. Topics such as tube feeding versus manual feeding, life-prolonging treatments, palliative care, and advance directives in dementia patients have been subjects of investigation.
The aim of this research topic is to enhance understanding of and insight into these and other moral challenges in the context of dementia care. This calls for a comprehensive perspective that encompasses input from diverse professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, healthcare providers, caregivers, and family members. The research topic considers both home-based and institutional settings to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding these moral conflicts in the care of older adults with dementia.
We seek studies focusing on moral conflicts in dementia care and their ethical analysis, encompassing the following issues:
1. Moral conflicts concerning autonomy, decision-making capacity, and guardianship in individuals with dementia.
2. Moral considerations surrounding advance directives for individuals with dementia.
3. Moral issues during the transition to institutional care for individuals with dementia.
4. Moral conflicts and dilemmas experienced by professionals caring for individuals with dementia in community and institutional settings.