REMENTIA - CHALLENGING THE LIMITS OF DEMENTIA CARE

Dementia is conventionally defined in terms of neurological changes in the brain and an inevitable and progressive decline in the individual 's cognitive powers and functional ability. However, this 'biomedical' model fails to recognize other important factors within the dementing process, such as the social and care context within which the dementi ng person lives. It is argued that appropriate care interventions can have a considerable impact on the progress of dementia. Data from an e valuation of three experimental homes for the elderly mentally ill sho w that some degree of 'rementia', the regaining of lost cognitive and functional abilities, is possible for some individuals. This evidence is used to argue for a more positive approach to dementia care.