THE DISCOURSE OF SELF IN DEMENTIA

The preservation of self-identity in dementia is dependent upon intern al (cognitive) and external (social) conditions. This study investigat es the integrity of self (internal) and personae (external) in dementi a as indexed by the verbal and nonverbal behaviours of dementia reside nts and their caregivers in a special care unit. Videotaped observatio ns of spontaneous nursing staff-resident interactions were collected o ver a three-day period. The recordings were transcribed and subjected to detailed discourse analysis. Our analyses focused on several indexi cals of self and personae including personal pronouns, proper nouns, i nterpersonal conflicts, and discursive positioning. The findings revea led that both self and personae are susceptible to decline in dementia . However, the results also provide evidence that even in severe demen tia self and personae can be indexed in a variety of ways. We discuss the important role that caregivers can have in reinforcing self and pe rsonae in dementia.