2.3 Explain why dementia should be viewed as a disability

Dementia is a progressive disorder that involves the brain and has a major effect on the memory, thinking, communication, behaviour and ability of an individual to perform daily tasks. It is commonly confused with the process of ageing, but dementia is a disability since it leads to long-term cognitive impairment that significantly restricts the autonomy and involvement of a person in everyday activities. The acknowledgement of dementia as a disability is significant to the provision of proper support, legal safeguards, and inclusive care practices.

Definition of Disability and Dementia

According to the Equality Act 2010, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that has a long-term and significant adverse impact on the capacity of an individual to perform normal day-to-day tasks. Dementia is a clear example of this definition. It is not a temporary or curable condition but a long-term and progressive condition that impacts mental functioning and gets worse with time.

Dementia encompasses Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. These disorders influence the processing of information in the brain, the storage of memories and decision-making, which directly affects everyday life.

Impact on Daily Living

Individuals with dementia have challenges that restrict their autonomy, which is one of the reasons why it ought to be considered a disability. Common challenges include:

Loss of memory, including forgetting of recent events, appointments or known people.
Communication problems, such as the inability to find the right words or comprehend others.
Difficulties in decision-making and judgment, which make it unsafe to handle money or medication.
Less capacity to carry out daily tasks, including cooking, washing, dressing or travelling alone.

These challenges impact the capacity of an individual to live freely and safely, and in most cases, the level of support needed by the individual increases with the progression of the condition. This impairment of functional capacity is very much in line with the way disabilities are perceived and identified.

Progressive and Long-Term Nature.

Dementia is not a temporary disease. It is a progressive disease, i.e., the symptoms become more severe with time. During the initial phases, the person might require a little assistance, but as the dementia progresses, the person might require complete care and supervision.

Since dementia leads to irreversible deterioration of cognitive functioning, it has a long-term effect on the quality of life of a person. This continued decline supports the need to consider dementia as a disability and not merely an age-related health condition.

Social Model of Disability

Based on the social model of disability, individuals are not only disabled by their condition but also by social barriers. In the case of dementia, these barriers can be:

Absence of dementia-friendly settings.
Lack of understanding or stigma by others.
Difficult to navigate complex systems and services.
Unreachable communication channels.

People with dementia are marginalised and discriminated against when society does not make reasonable accommodations. The perception of dementia as a disability stimulates organisations, communities and services to minimise these barriers and enhance inclusion.

Legal Protection and Rights

The perception of dementia as a disability gives people legal protection under equality and human rights laws. This guarantees that individuals with dementia are not discriminated against and they are entitled to reasonable accommodations in workplaces, healthcare facilities and government services.

As an example, reasonable adjustments can be clear signage, more time to communicate, routine familiarity, or assistance with appointments. These modifications assist dementia patients to be dignified and independent as long as they can.

Conclusion

To sum up, dementia can be considered a disability since it leads to long-term cognitive impairment that has a great impact on the ability of a person to perform daily tasks. It fits the legal definition of disability, is progressive and life-limiting, and poses barriers that limit independence and societal involvement. The acknowledgement of dementia as a disability enhances equality, access to support and services, and minimises stigma, and it ensures that people living with dementia are accorded the respect, care and protection they merit.

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