The way we should talk about dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases — the terminology we use — can be confusing. We might find ourselves slipping into using phrases that center the diagnosis, rather than the person. For example, this publication tries never to use the phrase “dementia patient” in our reporting. Rather, we prefer, “a person living with dementia.”
But it’s an ongoing conversation, and there is constantly new information, and new perspectives, to consider: How do we talk about people living with dementia in a way that is respectful and encouraging?
In a recent panel on “Rethinking Concepts Like ‘Activities of Daily Living’ in Memory Care”, experts weighed in. An article on BeingPatient.com shares a helpful summary of the panel discussion.
