Real inclusion is still far
When I was working in the disability inclusive education, a young student of mine asked, "Teacher, why do I feel like an outsider in my class [eventhough he was in a mainstream school]?"
This is exactly how most people with dementia experience despite initiatives like dementia-friendly community. The focus is more on integration, having people with dementia living within the community, which is a step forward from segregation. However, by labeling an initiative like DFC, we are saying, there is a wider community and a smaller circle of people who are different from mainstream society. It is like removing a learner with disability from the main classroom to another room to work with the student separately. While the intention is to provide support to the learner with disability but in doing so, we are highlighting the disability.
As people age, everyone will need some level of support from their community because cognitive ability will decline and old age also brings along its own health and social-emotional issues. Older parents will find themselves living by themselves most of the times because their adult children have moved out from the family home to start their new families. Those with mobility issue and poor vision will have difficulty to move around and navigating their neighborhood despite familiarity.
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Hence, everyone would benefit from a more understanding and empathetic community regardless one has dementia or not. The term - Dementia-friendly, has no added value to the lives of people with dementia nor their care partners and families. The initiatives of building a caring, responsive and supportive community is good for everyone and not just for people with dementia. By removing the word, Dementia, we are nurturing an inclusive attitude within the community and society. It is not doing for a small group of people who are functioning differently. It is about doing something for us, treating each other with respect and dignity, and supporting each other to live a better quality life. That is INCLUSION.
Book Author of " For this I am Grateful" living with Dementia Published by Austin Macauley Publishers
2 年so very true Emily we are glad you are working hard on dementia advocacy
Botes Memory Method :Helping you find hope on the dementia journey ??Educate ??Empower ??Equip Hope for neuro-cognitive decline (Senior Livings, Hospitals, healthcare professionals, persons with dementia, families.)
2 年Emily Ong so true! Dementia is a neuro-diverse condition and with the correct support they should be able to age where they choose to! Included in their regular environment and familiar communities! By shunning our persons living with dementia to “ Memory care units”, with the best of intentions we are often times causing institutionalization! Well written!
Director and Health & Life Sciences Sector Lead at ADP Consulting | Board Member I2SL | Architect | Thought Leader | PhD Candidate | Advocate for big ideas, curious minds, collaboration, and co-creation.
2 年Beautifully communicated Emily Ong ??