Behaviour is not a disease

Behaviour is not a disease. It is a way of communicating our inner experience when we interact with the world around us. In dementia care behaviour is often treated as though it is a disease. “She’s got behaviour” as if she has some terrible disease. We pathologise normal behaviour and make it into some form of illness. We also ignore some problem situations that we should take more seriously such as withdrawal, anxiety, repetitive questioning or people intruding into other people’s space.

Wellbeing is the goal and respectful, warm relationship is the means to that end. Treat people as human beings – not as some ill object to be washed, pumped, fed, wiped and kept seated.

People with dementia are no different to you and me. When was the last time your brain let you down?

Bernie