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Dementia may well challenge us all because of the fundamental complexity of the condition, however, within the complicated domain of understanding behaviour, it may be considered beneficial to always appreciate the world through the lens of each person living with dementia. (PLWD). Stereotypes based on cognitive assumptions become part of how we think, and how we consider others should act or behave. Subjective terminology such as "challenging behaviour", "behaviours of concern", "BPSD", “inappropriate”, “attention seeking” and “problematic”, are negative, derogatory, dehumanising, labels, perpetuating the prejudicial bias towards PLWD and changed behaviour. We should instead concede that variations in behaviour are probably a response to feeling devalued, disrespected, and discriminated against, to the point where unmet need essential to that person’s life is being ignored, and/or the possible legitimate grievances that arise from this. By successfully capturing the origins behind stress-related responses, means we may effectively remove those triggers, in turn addressing what that person may be attempting to portray. Instead, let us ‘look behind’ altered actions and normal human responses, not take these interplays personally nor at face value, and ask ourselves, “what is the person trying to tell us”? When we provide inclusive relationship-focused support responsive to a person’s cognitive capabilities, whilst factoring in person-centred physiological, emotional, bio-psychosocial, and environmental interventions, we may facilitate an enabling and positive life trajectory, experienced in the now, free of the constraints that society place upon people that are different……….whilst recognising and respecting the unequivocal rights of all PLWD to express themselves.
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