One An introduction to human rights and dementia
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Suzanne Cahill
Abstract
This chapter provides an introduction to the topic of human rights and dementia. It briefly traces the history of the human rights movement and discusses the significance of the UN Declaration on Human Rights (1948) and how the latter has helped shape other human rights treaties including the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities. The latter is a tool which will be used as a compass for analysis throughout the book. The chapter differentiates between human rights and human needs. It critically reviews negative and positive rights in the context of people living with dementia and describes the three generation of rights all people possess by virtue of being human. It argues for the application of a rights based framework to be used by practitioners in dementia care and points to the usefulness of using a social justice /rights based lens to interrogate dementia, extend the contemporary debate and ultimately attempt to improve quality of life and quality of care for all those living with dementia. The main aim of the book, the critical perspectives informing it and some of its distinctive features are highlighted.
Abstract
This chapter provides an introduction to the topic of human rights and dementia. It briefly traces the history of the human rights movement and discusses the significance of the UN Declaration on Human Rights (1948) and how the latter has helped shape other human rights treaties including the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities. The latter is a tool which will be used as a compass for analysis throughout the book. The chapter differentiates between human rights and human needs. It critically reviews negative and positive rights in the context of people living with dementia and describes the three generation of rights all people possess by virtue of being human. It argues for the application of a rights based framework to be used by practitioners in dementia care and points to the usefulness of using a social justice /rights based lens to interrogate dementia, extend the contemporary debate and ultimately attempt to improve quality of life and quality of care for all those living with dementia. The main aim of the book, the critical perspectives informing it and some of its distinctive features are highlighted.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vi
- Acknowledgements vii
- Foreword xi
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A conceptual framework
- An introduction to human rights and dementia 3
- Dementia as a disability 27
- Setting the context: The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 47
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Using a human rights lens to interrogate policy and practice
- The right to a good quality of life at home and in the community 71
- The right to a good quality of life in care homes or in nursing homes 99
- Emerging public policy on dementia: the implications of a human rights-based approach for policy and practice 131
- Legal capacity for people with dementia: a human rights approach 157
- Conclusions: grounds for hope 175
- References 189
- Index 233
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vi
- Acknowledgements vii
- Foreword xi
-
A conceptual framework
- An introduction to human rights and dementia 3
- Dementia as a disability 27
- Setting the context: The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 47
-
Using a human rights lens to interrogate policy and practice
- The right to a good quality of life at home and in the community 71
- The right to a good quality of life in care homes or in nursing homes 99
- Emerging public policy on dementia: the implications of a human rights-based approach for policy and practice 131
- Legal capacity for people with dementia: a human rights approach 157
- Conclusions: grounds for hope 175
- References 189
- Index 233
