5. Personhood in Dementia

5.3. Identity

Research shows that for most of us ‘end of life’ includes being treated as an individual, with dignity, respect, without pain, in familiar surroundings in the comfort of close family and friends (Middleton-Green et al (2017).

Identity, can be conceptualised as a person’s life story.  Life stories can be told through words, pictures or music. The time taken to construct a life story with the person you are caring for should enhance relationships, provide comfort, embrace love and provide dignity. 

The telling of the person’s life story also presents a way for approaching support at end‐of‐life as it recognises that it is the final chapter of a life story. Attention to issues of identity and relationships is beneficial for the person dying and their carers. (Leonard, Horsfall et al, 2017)

Particularly, in the last year of life, people with dementia become vulnerable following a gradual and prolonged decline in abilities.  If the person with dementia is being cared for in a familiar environment, by carers with whom they have a relationship, the maintenance of personhood is less challenging than if they find themselves in a busy hospital or unfamiliar environment where the carers may know little more than their name and diagnosis.