title: Dignity-preserving dementia care: a metasynthesis.
abstract: Research indicates the essentiality of dignity as a vital component for quality of life, reconfirming the emphasis on dignity preservation in the international code of nursing ethics. Applying Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnography, the aim of the study was to develop a theory model by synthesizing 10 qualitative articles from various cultural contexts, exploring nurse and allied healthcare professional perception/practice concerning dignity-preserving dementia care. "Advocating the person's autonomy and integrity," which involves "having compassion for the person," "confirming the person's worthiness and sense of self," and "creating a humane and purposeful environment," was identified as a primary foundation for dignity-preserving dementia care. "Balancing individual choices among persons no longer able to make sound decisions, against the duty of making choices on behalf of the person," which involves "persuasion" and/or "mild restraint," was considered a crucial aspect in certain situations. "Sheltering human worth-remembering those who forget" was identified as a comprehensive motive and core value within dignity-preserving dementia care.
authors.affiliation: University of Bergen, Norway; Oslo and Akershus University College, Norway.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tranvåg
authors.forename: Karin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Dagfinn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nåden
mesh_terms: D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D004645:Empathy / Q000941:ethics; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D028723:Personhood; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Care; dementia; dignity; meta-ethnography; metasynthesis; nursing