Dementia is often mistaken for a natural part of the ageing process. It’s an umbrella term for a range of neurological conditions that impact memory, cognition and physical function. Despite this, many people still find it difficult to classify dementia as a disability, especially when coming to terms with the diagnosis.
Recognising dementia as a disability offers numerous benefits to the individual and their loved ones, including access to appropriate support and legal protections. Today, we’ll explore why dementia should be viewed as a disability.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a collective term for several neurological conditions that affect the brain. The most common is Alzheimer’s, but there are several other common types of dementia. It’s estimated that more than 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia.
Dementia is a progressive condition that damages brain cells, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities, confusion, memory loss, speech and language difficulties and impaired problem-solving skills.
As the condition progresses, it can also affect people physically, including reduced mobility, coordination and even the ability to perform basic daily tasks like getting dressed or eating.
When physical, emotional and mental symptoms become too much of a burden, dementia care may be required. This can support the individual and their loved ones as they navigate this new change.
Physical and cognitive impairments can severely impact a person’s ability to live independently and engage in everyday activities, fitting the definition of a disability in UK law and international standards.
The Equality Act 2010: How Dementia Fits
The Equality Act 2010 provides a comprehensive definition of disability, which serves as the standard in the UK. It states that a person with a disability has a physical or mental impairment that has ‘substantial’ or ‘long-term’ negative effects on their ability to carry out daily activities.
- Substantial is more than minor or trivial impairment. An example would be that it takes much longer than usual to complete a daily task, like getting dressed.
- Long-term means that symptoms have been present or affecting a person’s quality of life for 12 months or more. An example would be developing a breathing condition as a result of a lung infection.
By nature of the condition alone, dementia fits within the definition of a disability.
The Equality Act protects people with disabilities from discrimination, making sure they receive the same opportunities and access to services as everyone else. Public and private organisations must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to accommodate their needs.
Benefits of Recognising Dementia as a Disability
There are several benefits of recognising dementia as a disability, impacting the everyday lives of individuals living with the condition and their families.
Necessary Adjustments to Support Daily Living
For people living with dementia, there are many adjustments that can improve quality of life and make day-to-day living easier.
These could include:
- Home adaptations: Bright lights to ensure visual clarity, painted doors and clearly labelled cupboards and drawers.
- Memory prompts: Large wipe boards with the date, day and current schedule written on them.
- Medication reminders: Pill boxes and phone alarms can help individuals keep on top of their medications or a trusted carer can remind them before each dose.
- Simplified tasks: Carers and healthcare professionals can offer suggestions for simplifying daily tasks, such as bathing and cooking meals, to encourage independence.
- Professional support: A free care needs assessment can highlight specialist equipment that may benefit the person, such as a stairlift or walk-in shower.
- Trusted carers: Private care through Trinity Homecare matches individuals with experienced carers who share their personalities and wishes, fostering long-term, meaningful friendships.
Access to Financial Support
Another benefit of recognising dementia as a disability is that it helps remove barriers that might prevent people from accessing services and the support they need. This includes financial support, such as disability benefits and allowances.
Legal protections are beneficial for individuals living with dementia and their loved ones, offering a framework of support that can make a big difference in managing symptoms and the future.
Through legal recognition, individuals might qualify for benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Attendance Allowance. These can provide relief from the financial burden, which often increases as care needs change and symptoms progress.
Healthcare and Social Care Services
People with dementia often need specialised healthcare and social care services, especially as their condition progresses into middle and late-stage dementia.
Recognising dementia as a disability makes sure that everyone has access to these services and is treated with the same respect and care as individuals with other disabilities.
Healthcare providers and other public services must make necessary accommodations to ensure people with dementia can receive the support they need. This could include access to memory clinics or specialised dementia care units.
Protection From Discrimination
By assuming dementia is a disability, a person should be entitled to the protections and rights outlined in the Equality Act. This includes protection from discrimination in employment, public health services, healthcare and more.
Protection from discrimination is essential when ensuring individuals with dementia can live independently, with respect and dignity, and without fear of being marginalised because of their condition.
Reduced Stigma
Unfortunately, despite plenty of research surrounding the condition, dementia is still widely stigmatised in society. Many people consider it a natural part of ageing rather than a condition requiring treatment and management.
By defining dementia as a disability, we can reduce the stigmatised assumptions and help others adopt the same compassion they have for people with other disabilities.
Dementia is recognised as a disability under law in the UK, meaning the stigma is reduced. A collective greater consciousness can help make society more inclusive and accepting of people with dementia, in turn helping them feel more understood and valued.
More Support for Carers
Family members and professional carers can often face a lack of support and discrimination by association when supporting a person with dementia. By recognising it as a disability, we can help carers feel supported financially, physically and emotionally.
Making dementia a disability by law gives individuals with the condition and their carers rights, protections and access to essential services. This can boost quality of life and ensure they receive the best possible standard of care without compromise.
How Trinity Homecare Can Help
At Trinity Homecare, we understand the unique challenges dementia causes individuals with symptoms and their loved ones. Through our live-in and visiting dementia care services, we treat the condition just like any other disability – with dignity, compassion and respect.
When working with Trinity Homecare, you can expect:
- One-to-one support at home
- Completely bespoke care that has been tailored to you
- Specialist care for a number of different circumstances
- Home carers carefully matched to your needs
- CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care services
Talk to Us Today
At Trinity Homecare, our ultimate goal is to enrich your lifestyle in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This allows you to live the independent lifestyle that you love without the daunting thought of moving into a care home. We are here to support you with various forms of live-in care.
Call us now on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free, no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.
