Older persons and dementia

The rights and needs of older persons with dementia have been given low priority in the national and global agenda. In particular, with the progression of the disease, as their autonomy decreases, older persons with dementia tend to be isolated, excluded and subject to abuse and violence.

It is crucial to address dementia through a human rights-based approach because persons with dementia are rights-holders and States and other stakeholders are duty-bearers with correlative obligations based on international human rights standards and principles.

Under a human rights based approach, the development of policies, legislation, regulation, institutions and budgets related to dementia risk reduction and care should be anchored in a system of rights and corresponding obligations that States have agreed to comply with under the international human rights framework.

Documents

• Thematic brief “Ensuring a human rights-based approach for people with dementia”
• Report of the First Ministerial Conference on Global Action Against Dementia
• Global Action Against Dementia Progress Report