RT Article
T1 A continuing sense of self in the lived experience of dementia
JF Journal of religion, spirituality & aging
VO 30
IS 3
SP 279
OP 290
A1 Bryden, Christine 1949-
LA English
PB Routledge
YR 2018
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1583872434
AB Diagnosis with dementia often leads to an overwhelming fear of loss of self, which is assumed in the social discourse about the condition. After my own diagnosis with dementia in 1995, I reflected on this fear from a Christian theological perspective and was nonetheless able to discover a sense of hope. Highlighting what remains in dementia, as seen through the lens of the lived experience, provides a counter-story to the views of outside observers, which have dominated the literature to date. Although people with dementia experience a change in their cognitive sense of self, there are still important aspects of self that remain, which are: a sense of being an embodied self, in relationships with others and with God, and being able to find meaning in the present moment. By demonstrating that people living with dementia have a continuing sense of self, the aim is to prompt improved pastoral care and ministry.
K1 Dementia
K1 continuing sense of self
K1 Lived experience
K1 loss of self
K1 Spirituality
DO 10.1080/15528030.2018.1462290