Are people with Dementia entitled to find romance while living in Assisted Living?
An article in Slate posted online Tuesday, June 10, 2008 examines how two families react to the news that their parents have started an affair. The couple resided in an Assisted Living facility and both have been diagnosed with Dementia.
The affair began as companionship and then turned into an intimate relationship. The man’s family was strongly opposed to their father having a sexual relationship and viewed his female companion as the aggressor and potential “gold digger”.
The female resident’s daughter was not opposed to the relationship.
The management and staff of the Assisted Living facility felt caught in the middle with some choosing sides as the male resident’s family requested they be kept apart and watched closely.
Under watch the couple’s relationship continued as they sought privacy and sometimes missed church or other activities to be alone with each other. The man’s family was so concerned about the relationship they chose to move their father out of the Assisted Living without discussing it with him or letting him say goodbye to his female companion.
The female resident became depressed and stopped eating and drinking resulting in malnutrion and dehydration.
Questions raised by this article:
Can someone with Dementia give informed consent?
How do caregivers balance safety and privacy concerns?
Who controls the intimate lives of people with Dementia?
