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It is reported that the thesis section is available, to publish abstracts of postgraduate theses in the disciplinary field. Who submits your thesis, must present the title, abstract, key words (include Occupational Therapy), and a summary of 2 to 3 pages of your thesis. And `present it in Spanish, English and / or Portuguese.

A transactional or contextualized model of autonomy in persons with dementia

Authors

  • Jean Gajardo Universidad de Chile
  • Diego Fernando Cifuentes Universidad de Chile

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

Dementia, autonomy, transactional perspective, agency, environment, occupation

Author Biography

Diego Fernando Cifuentes, Universidad de Chile

Profesor asistente,

Escuela de Terapia Ocupacional

Facultad de Medicina

Universidad de Chile