Dementia sufferers are vulnerable, they may be physically abused for displaying “rebellious” or “stubborn” behavior and in many countries are often subjected to chemical and physical restraint. The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day gives the opportunity to experts, families, and public bodies to gather ideas and data on the condition of people affected by dementia, illustrating the moral complexities involved in providing care for those with dementia, and why laws alone won’t be enough to guarantee their safety.
Their rights and their family carers rights are frequently ignored or sometimes violated on purpose, it is crucial to take a human rights-based approach to the problem of dementia, according to the raccomandations developed by the World Health Organization. Dementia patients and their caretakers should be included in all decisions that have an impact on their quality of life, they need a voice in the decisions that will have a direct impact on their lives. Dementia patients should have the same opportunities to use public amenities as everyone else. Food, water, clothing, education, healthcare, public facilities, transportation, housing, and information and communication are all part of this.
The rights and needs of older persons with dementia have been given low priority in the national and global agenda. In particular, with the progression of the disease, as their autonomy decreases, older persons with dementia tend to be isolated, excluded and subject to abuse and violence.
“It is crucial to address dementia through a human rights-based approach because people with dementia are rights-holders and States and other stakeholders are duty-bearers with correlative obligations based on international human rights standards and principles” as stated by the Independent Experts on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. Its mandate was most recently renewed by the Human Rights Council with the resolution 42/12 in 2019.
