A transactional or contextualized model of autonomy in persons with dementia

• Main Authors: Jean Gajardo, Diego Fernando Cifuentes
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad de Chile 2014-12-01
• Series: Revista Chilena de Terapia Ocupacional
• Online Access: https://revistaterapiaocupacional.uchile.cl/index.php/RTO/article/view/35721

Dementia is a condition that features the impairment of cognition and other cognitive and behavioral functions. Dementia is an acquired condition that impacts performance and functionality and it has been declared a public health priority due to its increasing frequency and because it represents one of the major causes of disability and dependence among older adults. The cognitive im- pairment that dementia implies has an impact on the person’s capability to be autonomous, which is at the same time an important challenge to address by occupational therapy as a profession and discipline that aims to promote participation and autonomy. This essay offers a discussion about paradigms and notions about autonomy in dementia, in order to develop a conceptual framework that enhances an alternative notion of autonomy in dementia better related to the environment, agency and a transactional pers- pective of occupation.