JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The global prevalence of dementia is rising rapidly, presenting significant challenges for healthcare systems and societies worldwide. With the number of people living with dementia projected to triple by 2050, there is an urgent need for legal frameworks that effectively address the ethical and practical concerns of dementia care. While extensive literature exists on the clinical and ethical dimensions of dementia, limited research has explored how legal frameworks operationalize ethical principles, particularly in the context of dementia care.

Objective:

This study aims to explore and examine the ethical principles of dementia care and how they are addressed by ethical frameworks as integrated and discussed in legal documents across various jurisdictions on national, European, and international levels.

Methods:

The study employs a cross-country qualitative thematic synthesis (QTS) approach to investigate how ethical principles, such as autonomy, dignity, and beneficence, are embedded, discussed, and evaluated in legal documents. It covers 15 countries within a European COST Action initiative. The research combines QTS with a systematic legal review framework to comprehensively analyze ethical principles in dementia-related legislation.

Results:

By categorizing and analyzing the identified ethical principles, the study intends to reveal how ethical norms are translated into enforceable laws. It will identify gaps and variances in the application of these principles across jurisdictions, highlighting areas of inconsistency and potential improvement.

Conclusions:

The findings will provide analytical themes and insights concerning the interaction between ethical and legal norms. The study emphasizes the nuanced role of ethics in dementia-related legislation, contributing valuable perspectives for policymakers, legal practitioners, and healthcare providers. These insights aim to enhance the ethical and legal frameworks governing dementia care.