Dementia is often perceived as part of the ageing process. It has a progressive impact on memory, cognition, and physical function. Many find it difficult to classify dementia as a disability, especially when they are still coming to terms with the diagnosis itself. However, legally, dementia is a disability.
Recognising dementia as a disability opens doors to necessary support and legal protections. It ensures people living with dementia can continue to live with dignity, respect, and equality. Now, we will explore why dementia should be viewed as a disability. Also, how doing so can help those affected navigate their daily lives with greater ease and access to vital services like dementia care.
Dementia is not a single disease. It is a collective term used to describe several different neurological conditions that affect the brain, most commonly Alzheimer’s disease. According to recent estimates, over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, a figure expected to rise significantly as populations age. In the UK alone, around 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia, and by 2040, it's anticipated that 1.4 million people will be living with the condition.
Dementia progressively damages brain cells, leading to a decline in cognitive function, memory loss, confusion, difficulties with language, and impaired problem-solving abilities. As the condition advances, it can also affect physical abilities such as mobility, coordination, and even the ability to perform basic daily tasks like eating or dressing, which is the point when dementia care is needed if it hasn’t already been organised at an early stage.
These cognitive and physical impairments can severely impact a person's ability to engage in everyday life and interact with others, fitting the definition of disability both in UK law and international standards.
In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 provides a comprehensive definition of disability. It states that a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on [their] ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Dementia, by its very nature, meets this definition.
Under the Equality Act 2010, dementia is recognised as a disability because it results in “long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”.
The Equality Act protects people with disabilities from discrimination, ensuring they receive the same opportunities and access to services as everyone else. It mandates that public and private organisations make “reasonable adjustments” to accommodate the needs of disabled people.
For someone living with dementia, these adjustments could range from simpler communications in healthcare settings to support with employment or specialised care arrangements in the home.
A key benefit of recognising dementia as a disability under the Equality Act is that it helps remove barriers that might prevent people from accessing the services and support they need. This includes rights such as:
These legal protections are not just beneficial for those living with dementia but are also essential for their families and carers, as they offer a framework of support that can make a significant difference in managing the condition.
Globally, dementia is recognised as a disability under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which the UK ratified in 2009. This convention aims to safeguard the rights of individuals with disabilities, including those living with dementia, and to promote their full inclusion in society.
The CRPD follows the social model of disability, which stands in contrast to the medical model. Instead of focusing solely on a person’s impairments, the social model examines how societal barriers limit an individual’s ability to fully participate in life. For people with dementia, these barriers might include inaccessible services, a lack of public understanding, or inadequate support systems.
For example, someone suffering from dementia may have difficulty remembering or making decisions, making it difficult to manage public transportation or seek healthcare. However, by making changes such as clarifying information, providing better instructions, or providing support, society may help to remove these barriers, allowing people with dementia to maintain their independence for as long as feasible.
Recognising dementia as a disability ensures that people living with the condition are not overlooked or marginalised. The Equality Act and CRPD are key tools in ensuring that people with dementia are treated fairly and receive the support they need. But despite these legal protections, many people with dementia—and their families—are unaware of their rights or face challenges when trying to access services.
The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), which was established by the Equality Act, also plays an important role in ensuring that public services are responsive to the needs of people with dementia. Under the PSED, public authorities must take steps to:
Alzheimer Europe’s focus on the connection between disability and dementia is closely tied to its commitment to promoting the human rights of people living with dementia.
The 2011 World Health Organisation (WHO) Report on Disability highlights disability as a human rights issue, stating, “People with disabilities experience inequalities – for example, when they are denied equal access to health care, employment, education, or political participation because of their disability."
Despite these legal frameworks, many people with dementia continue to confront difficulties when seeking treatment. This emphasises the necessity of promoting knowledge about people's legal rights with dementia, as well as making public and private entities accountable for preserving those rights.
The social concept of disability is critical to understanding why dementia should be considered a disability. This approach, which serves as the foundation for the CRPD, moves the attention away from the person's impairments and instead places the obligation on society to remove the barriers that limit full participation.
In the case of dementia, this suggests that the ailment is not the sole source of the patient's incapacity. The debilitating environment is the result of society's failure to adapt to the demands of people with dementia.
A person with dementia, for example, may find it difficult to use public transit due to a lack of clear signage or confusing ticketing systems. In this situation, the person's disability is caused by the environment in which they are attempting to operate, not the dementia.
By acknowledging dementia as a disability, we may move our focus away from attempting to "fix" the person with dementia and towards tackling the societal barriers that limit their involvement. This could include:
When society adopts these changes, people with dementia can live more independently, maintain social relationships, and have a higher quality of life.
There are numerous benefits to recognising dementia as a disability. These go beyond legal rights and protections, impacting the everyday lives of patients and their families.
People with dementia may be eligible for various forms of financial support, including disability benefits and allowances. Recognising dementia as a disability ensures that people can access these funds, helping to cover the costs of care, medication, and other necessary services.
Through legal recognition, a person may qualify for benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance, which can significantly alleviate the financial burden of living with dementia. This legal framework ensures that people with dementia are treated with dignity and have access to the financial resources they need.
Employers are mandated by the Equality Act to make reasonable accommodations for employees who have impairments. This could entail modifying work hours, simplifying responsibilities, or providing extra assistance to someone suffering from dementia. Recognising dementia as a handicap allows people to work as long as they are able, with the required adjustments in place.
Employers are obligated to ensure that the work environment is inclusive, helping employees with dementia maintain their employment for as long as possible. This protection against workplace discrimination is a vital part of helping people maintain their independence and contribution to society.
People with dementia often require specialised healthcare and social care services as the condition progresses. Recognising dementia as a disability ensures that people have access to these services and that they are treated with the same respect and care as those with other disabilities.
Public services, including healthcare providers, must make necessary accommodations to ensure that people with dementia can access the support they need. This might include support with daily living tasks, access to memory clinics, or specialised dementia care units. By legally viewing dementia as a disability, a person receives more tailored and comprehensive care, enhancing their overall well-being.
By viewing dementia as a disability, a person is entitled to the protections and rights offered by the Equality Act. This includes protection from discrimination in various areas, such as employment, access to public services, and healthcare.
Public services must make accommodations to ensure that people with dementia can access the necessary support. This protection is critical in ensuring that those with dementia can live with dignity and without fear of being marginalised due to their condition.
Dementia is widely stigmatised in society, with some interpreting it more as an ageing disease than as a condition in need of intervention. Once we identify dementia as a disability, we can overturn these assumptions and help the rest of the world understand dementia with the same compassion we do with other disabilities.
Because dementia is recognised as a disability under the law, the stigma around the condition diminishes. This greater consciousness can help to make the world a more humane and accepting place for the person with dementia.
Family members and carers often pay the price for a person with dementia. When dementia is acknowledged as a disability, this can help to ensure that they are supported, whether it’s respite care, a cash grant or access to support.
Carers’ rights are secured, so the risk of burnout is minimised and the quality of care is maximised. This legal status means that people with dementia and their carers have easy access to essential resources — creating a more stable, caring community.
In making dementia a disability under the law, patients and families have the rights, protections and services they need to live with the condition. This not only benefits their quality of life but also allows them to be treated with respect and dignity.
Though these obvious advantages are convincing, a growing majority of people with dementia and their families don’t wish to recognise dementia as a disability. A major obstacle is stigma. Being referred to as disabled can feel like an add-on burden on top of a difficult diagnosis.
Sometimes, however, the symptoms of dementia may not be obvious – at least not in its early days. Others might continue to go about their daily lives, and so might not consider themselves ‘disabled’. Yet since dementia is incurable, early identification as a disability can ensure appropriate interventions.
Another problem is that people do not understand what a disability is. Many people equate disability with bodily limitation, including inability to move or lack of senses. As with cognitive impairments, such as dementia, these are sometimes more difficult to diagnose, and it is often unclear what help is available and for whom.
One of the mysteries of dementia is that no one can have it exactly the same way. There might be people whose main symptom is memory loss; others may have difficulty with language or choice. These distinctions require that there is no ‘one size fits all’ strategy for dementia care and that it should be personalised.
For instance, in the beginning, a dementia patient may require little more than a reminder or assistance with time management. But as the condition progresses, they can need greater specialised help bathing, dressing or eating. The definition of dementia as a disability makes provision for a dynamic that ensures appropriate care when needed.
Dementia also has a bearing on individuals’ psychological states. Depression and anxiety are prevalent among people with dementia, cognitive change can cause frustration, confusion and loneliness. By treating dementia as a disability, we can ensure not just pragmatic assistance but emotional and psychological care for people’s well-being.
Dementia is much more than memory loss. It is a complex condition that affects a person’s cognitive abilities, physical function, and mental health. If we see dementia as a disability, we can start dismantling the barriers to meaningful lives. Dementia is deemed a disability by law, giving people rights, services and protections from care to work and beyond.
We here at Tiggo Care are passionate about helping people with dementia live their best lives. Our individualised care programmes are developed for each person, to ensure the right amount of support is available throughout the course of the condition. Whether it’s support with everyday activities, transportation to medical appointments or just some companionship, Tiggo Care offers something to make living with dementia simpler.
Contact us if you or someone you care about has dementia and would like to learn more about Tiggo Care’s dementia home care services. Our staff will care and support you so that you can continue to live in dignity, respect, and independence.
Recognising dementia as a disability ensures that individuals affected are entitled to legal protections and support. It promotes access to essential services, reduces stigma, and guarantees rights under laws like the Equality Act. This recognition helps people with dementia live with dignity and access the assistance they need.
Dementia affects millions globally and is a growing concern due to an ageing population. It severely impacts memory, cognition, and daily function, progressively limiting a person’s independence. Understanding dementia as both a medical condition and a disability ensures better support and accommodations for those affected.
Yes, Tiggo Care offers personalised dementia care services. Our carers provide assistance with daily tasks, medication adherence, and social support, helping improve quality of life. We focus on maximising independence while ensuring a compassionate and respectful approach tailored to each person’s needs.
A care assistant can provide invaluable support by helping with daily tasks like dressing, meal preparation, medication routines, and social interaction. They also ensure a person with dementia can remain independent for as long as possible, offering companionship and structure to their daily life.
Get in touch with Tiggo Care today to see how we can help you or your loved one.
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