Human rights based approach to dementia research and service delivery

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Bernadette Rock

Alzheimer Society of Ireland

: Int J Ment Health Psychiatry

Abstract

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My journey shows that people with dementia are more than just a condition; they are citizens who want active lives and have fundamental needs”, Helen Rochford-Brennan, European Working Group of People with Dementia. In April 2016, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) and the Irish Dementia Working Group published a Charter of Rights for People with Dementia, calling for greater participation, accountability, equality, empowerment, and legal recognition for the rights of people with dementia. The Charter adopts the principles of PANEL, which refer to Participation, Accountability, Non-Discrimination and Equality, Empowerment and Legality. This presentation explores how the ASI strives to impart these rights and principles in its research into people with dementia and also as part of its delivery of services for clients with dementia. The ASI supports research into key areas that can influence and improve the quality of life of people with dementia and carers, and receives a high volume of research requests. ASI strives to ensure that the rights of people with dementia are put at the very center of research and that those with dementia are empowered to be as involved as possible in research. This presentation also shows how this rights approach is carried through to service delivery, as ASI services operate to meet the needs of people with dementia from a human rights perspective. Panel provides a framework with important elements to keep in mind if we want to promote respect for the rights of people with dementia in research.

Biography

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E-mail: bernadette.rock@alzheimer.ie