Mitigating the impact of structural discrimination for people with dementia residing in long-term care facilities: an ethical framework based in virtue ethics and facilitated using a citizenship lens

Abstract

Over the past century dementia has undergone numerous iterations, from being perceived as part of the aging process to its current perception as a pathology. This thesis presents evidence that dominant dementia discourse is influenced by ageist and ableist perspectives, is laden with tones of tragedy and fear, and creates normative assumptions about the condition and the people who live with it. I argue that such discourse influences institutional and societal behaviours, and can prevent people with dementia from achieving the same rights and opportunities that are available to others due to structural discrimination. This thesis also presents evidence that dementia-specific practices in long-term care facilities result in restrictions on rights and freedoms. Through an ethical analysis of these practices, this thesis examines how an ethical response using a citizenship lens and having human flourishing as its end can help to mitigate the impact of structural discrimination in dementia care.