Court rulings involving individuals with dementia in Israel: A qualitative perspective

By: Doron I., Werner P., Spanier B., Lazar O.
Published in: Dementia
SDGs : SDG 03  |  Units: Social Welfare & Health Sciences  | Time: 2019 |  Link
Description: Background: Individuals with dementia may appear before the courts in different roles. Despite the growing interest in t he rights of older persons with dementia, relatively little empirical data exist regarding their actual interactions and experiences in court. Methods: This study used a qualitative, textual analysis methodology. A total of 281 Israeli legal court cases, which addressed issues relating to dementia, were analyzed. Results: Four key themes were found in the legal texts: (1) The legal construction of dementia and its relationships to old age; (2) The importance of procedural justice; (3) The implications and outcomes of the legal process; and (4) The legal implications to the society as a whole. Conclusions: The legal narratives, which surround legal cases that deal with dementia in Israel, reveal an internal tension between stigmatic and anti-stigmatic narratives. This complex reality raises the need for further research and for a clearer judicial policy. © The Author(s) 2018.