Occupational Therapy and Dementia: Promoting Inclusion, Rights and Opportunities for People Living With Dementia

With contemporary approaches based on theory and the lived experience of dementia, Occupational Therapy and Dementia is written using an occupational justice lens. It examines how core elements of how occupational therapy may support the person living with dementia through valued activity in continuing engagement in their lives, sustaining their identity and sense of purpose. This edited collection critically analyses traditional thinking about dementia practice from over 40 contributors, challenging readers to reflect and develop their work. Drawing on policy and legislation related to health and social-care, readers are given tools to focus their practice towards what is important to the person living with dementia. Most importantly, this book gives a voice to people living with dementia, emphasising their expertise.

A combined emphasis on human rights and occupational justice for people living with dementia offers both a theoretical and practical frame to develop your occupational therapy practice.

Fiona Maclean is an occupational therapist with over 30 years' experience. Fiona has worked and collaborated with people living with dementia to develop a range of innovative educational opportunities such as the first occupational therapy internship programme, funded by Alzheimer Scotland and Santander Universities UK. She is also an Allied Health Professional Project lead at Alzheimer Scotland.

Dr Alison Warren is an Occupational Therapist with over 30years' experience. Alison has worked and collaborated with people who have dementia and their caregivers in a range of settings. She led the development of a service for younger people with dementia and is a founder member of the Prime Ministers Dementia Challenge Group for Air Transport.

Elaine Hunter is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy. Elaine has worked as the Alzheimer Scotland and Scottish Government's National Allied Health Professional Consultant since 2012 and has published with the British Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Lyn Westcott is a member of the Royal College of Occupational therapy. From 2016-2020 Lyn served on the Council of The Royal College of Occupational Therapists and chaired the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Board: Learning and Development. She is also the co-editor of Perspectives in Occupational Therapy Education 2020.