Laboni Das

ABSTRACT

Dementia Care Approaches in Graphic Detail

Laboni Das

National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli

Dr Sathyaraj Venkatesan

National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli

‘Ageing’ in the contemporary agendas is badly stigmatised, and among the many discourses that emphasise ageing as the root cause for various later life illnesses, dementia is currently promoted as an epidemic. The effects of being a dementia caregiver, though sometimes positive, are generally negative, with high rates of emotional as well as physical burden and financial hardships. One of the major challenges experienced by individuals with dementia, as their cognitive abilities deteriorate, is isolation, making the final years of their lives lonely and devoid of meaning. While healthcare solely delves into the neuropathological study of dementia, recent research observes that the biopsychosocial model of dementia provide new ways of person-directive care practises paying attention to the mind and psyche of dementia afflicted; engaging and rebuilding relationships with the person with dementia. Predominantly in biomedical and cultural discourses, dementia is depicted with gloomy images, apathetic feelings and a sense of loss. However, graphic medicine rewrites the dominant narrative of dementia built into the biomedical model that focuses solely on loss and care burdens. Taking these cues, through a close reading of Little Josephine: Memory in Pieces by Valerie Villieu and Raphael Sarfati (2020), the paper attempts to explore alternatives to the cultural figuration of dementia. This paper outlines the potential value of person-centred care approaches as a means of improving one’s understanding of another person’s mind and making them feel included and valued.

BIO

Laboni Das (laboni.das73@gmail.com) is pursuing PhD in English Language and Literature at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences in the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (India). Her research interests include graphic medicine and health humanities.