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Systematic Narrative
Review
Challenges to supporting people with
dementia in shared decision-making
Abstract
Context:
According to Alzheimer's Society there are currently 900,000 individuals living
with a dementia diagnosis in the UK, this is predicted to increase to 1.4 million by
2040. In Northern Ireland it is predicted that 20,000 individuals live with dementia
with this figure expected to double by 2040, (Alzheimer's Society, 2022) this
figure is an estimate of those with a formal diagnosis and those awaiting a formal
dementia diagnosis. One of the main challenges faced by social workers and
other key professionals in promoting shared decision-making is the diversity of
dementia with each person's experience being unique in terms of progression of
the condition; level of cognition; and ability to communicate and the research
review will aim to further explore these challenges. The United Nations
convention of the rights of persons with disabilities (2006), recognised that those
with a disability, including those with dementia, have a fundamental right to have
freedom of choice and some of these individuals will require supported decisionmaking
to exercise this right. In Northern Ireland, The Regional Dementia Care
Pathway is one of the outcomes of the Health and Wellbeing 2026, Delivering
Together, Department of Health (2017) which places a strong emphasis on
ensuring the service user's voice is heard.
Methods employed in the review:
An extensive search was completed to identify empirical peer reviewed research
using 4 databases:
• CINHAL;
• Scopus;
• Medline; and
• Social care online