title: Crucial dimensions constituting dignity experience in persons living with dementia.
abstract: Dignity is seen as an essential need, fundamental right, and inherent quality of each human being. There is however, a need for increased knowledge on crucial dimensions constituting dignity experience in persons living with dementia. This study explored personal dimensions of life which persons with dementia perceived crucial for experiencing dignity in their daily lives. Based on the findings of eight empirical sub-dimensions, three main dimensions crucial for constituting dignity experience, were identified through hermeneutical interpretation: A historical dignity-dimension, acknowledging one's own life-projects and life-history; an intrapersonal dignity-dimension, recognizing one's own human worth, and living according to internal values; and an interpersonal dignity-dimension, experiencing being part of a caring and confirming communion. Knowledge of dignity preservation should be a crucial foundation for future dementia care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Nursing, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Norway Oscar.Tranvag@hib.no.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tranvåg
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Karin Anna
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Norway.
authors.forename: Dagfinn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nåden
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D066297:Hermeneutics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D028723:Personhood; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: dementia; dignity-dimensions; historical; interpersonal; intrapersonal