Human rights and dignity

The Welsh Government has committed to promote the rights, dignity and autonomy of people living with dementia.

The Dementia Action Plan for Wales

The Dementia Action Plan for Wales has adopted the principles of the dementia statements below:

• We have the right to be recognised as who we are, to make choices about our lives including taking risks, and to contribute to society. Our diagnosis should not define us, nor should we be ashamed of it
• We have the right to continue with day-to-day and family life, without discrimination or unfair cost, to be accepted and included in our communities and not live in isolation or loneliness
• We have the right to an early and accurate diagnosis, and to receive evidence based, appropriate, compassionate and properly funded care and treatment, from trained people who understand us and how dementia affects us. This must meet our needs, wherever we live
• We have the right to be respected, and recognised as partners in care, provided with education, support, services, and training which enables us to plan and make decisions about the future
• We have the right to know about and decide if we want to be involved in research that looks at cause cure and care for dementia and be supported to take part.

The Declaration of Human Rights for Older People in Wales

The Declaration of Human Rights for Older People in Wales (Welsh Government, 2014) will protect and enhance the rights of older people across Wales and challenge prejudice.

The declaration states:

• I have a right to safety, security and justice
• I have a right to be who I am
• I have the right to decide where I live, how I live and with whom I live
• I have free will and the right to make decisions about my life
• I have the right to work, develop, participate and contribute
• I have the right to be valued

Supporting peoples wishes

Planning for an emergency

There is a possibility that family members may become unwell and unable to care for a person living with dementia, so it’s important to plan for this.

You can ask family members to fill in this short leaflet by the Dementia Care Partnership forum explaining what needs to happen if they become unwell. If you are a worker, keep a copy for yourself and put another copy somewhere clear, like on a fridge. That way, anyone involved in any emergency care is clear on the key things they need to know about a person. This does not replace a care plan or advance care plan, it is for sharing vital information in case of an emergency.

Don’t forget to ask if someone has completed a This is Me leaflet.

Herbert Protocol

You may want to remind families about the Herbert Protocol. This is designed to support families in case the person they care for goes missing.