دانلود کتاب زوال عقل و جامعه

As the population grows older, dementia becomes more noticeable in our society. Most of us sooner or later have to deal with dementia in our close environment or personally. Although there are some promising reports of decreasing incidence, prevalence is on the rise, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Surveys tell us that cognitive decline is the biggest concern among older adults. Both the unfamiliar realm of dementia and the prospect of losing one’s cognitive abilities are terrifying. Most people fear to lose themselves and their dignity. People are afraid of not being taken seriously anymore, of being pushed aside in society. Such feelings express the imminent degradation of the very essence that a society stands for. The word ‘society’ comes from the Latin word societas, which is derived from the noun socius, meaning ally or friend, and describes a bond between people. Society is about living together as prosperously as possible. Of course, by the nature of their condition, persons with dementia are at higher risk of losing connection with the community they belong to and vice versa. To mitigate the risk of alienation and to safeguard the well-being of humans with cognitive impairment and their caregivers, society must consider how its policy and organization can best be tailored to the needs of people with dementia. This requires deep reflection on a range of topics: What defines dementia? Does the meaning of dementia depend on the perspective taken? How is dementia perceived in our society? Do portrayals of dementia affect persons living with dementia? How is dementia experienced and how does it affect relationships with others? What determines quality of life for persons with dementia? Can people with dementia still have a meaningful life? How to create a supportive and safe environment, when to decide on future care decisions and how to organize and finance care? Obviously these questions can only be answered by bringing together expertise from different disciplines, which was the set-up of this book.