Occupational Therapy and Dementia

The essentials of occupational therapy for dementia, from an occupation and rights-based practice perspective

Bringing together professional and lived experience, this collection of expert voices frames dementia practice with an occupational justice lens. It provides a focus for learning and development in practice for occupational therapists and allied health workers working in dementia care, incorporating the voice of people living with dementia.

With contemporary approaches based on theory and the lived experience of dementia, Occupational Therapy and Dementia is written using an occupational justice lens. It examines how core elements of how occupational therapy may support the person living with dementia through valued activity in continuing engagement in their lives, sustaining their identity and sense of purpose. This edited collection critically analyses traditional thinking about dementia practice from over 40 contributors, challenging readers to reflect and develop their work. Drawing on policy and legislation related to health and social-care, readers are given tools to focus their practice towards what is important to the person living with dementia. Most importantly, this book gives a voice to people living with dementia, emphasising their expertise.

A combined emphasis on human rights and occupational justice for people living with dementia offers both a theoretical and practical frame to develop your occupational therapy practice.