Commented on a discussion 10/31/2008 at 5:13 pm
My thoughts: Voting is a civic privilege and responsibility. It is not self-esteem therapy. Whether it's "beneficial" for the person with dementia, or whether it enhances feelings of independence, is irrelevant.
...Read MoreMy thoughts: Voting is a civic privilege and responsibility. It is not self-esteem therapy. Whether it's "beneficial" for the person with dementia, or whether it enhances feelings of independence, is irrelevant.
The point is whether the individual is able to comprehend issues of the day and make an informed decision. If not, then they shouldn't be voting. Period.
By definition, I do not believe that people with moderate to severe cognitive impairment (for example, Stage 4/5 and beyond in Alz) have that cognitive ability.
Guiding them to vote for certain parties or issues because "I know them, and that's what they would want" usurps their judgement and replaces it with the caregiver's. In fact, people do change how they vote from one election to the next, and their candidate preferences and positions on issues can shift as well.
If you're having to help them based on your prior knowledge of their voting history, to me that answers the question right there of whether they're truly capable of making this incredibly important decision themselves.
It shocks and appalls me that we caregivers generally wouldn't dream of letting people with dementia decide not to take their cognitive meds - but we're perfectly happy to let those same folks vote, an act which will affect far more people in their community.
PS I'm the caregiver for my 80-y/o mother, who will not be voting this year.