Values

Respect: Show respect for the dignity of the person with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.

Compassion: Show concern and understanding, and support the personhood of people with Alzheimer's disease.

Integrity: Focus on trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability and loyalty, in an environment of total quality care.

Competency: Focus on effective, appropriate, high-quality care and administration in programs and services for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families.

Guiding principles

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain that has profound impacts on people with the disease and their families.

People with Alzheimer's disease need to be told their diagnosis and made aware of available treatment options.

People with Alzheimer's disease must have access to current information, and receive co-ordinated care and support from knowledgeable, health-care professionals.

People with Alzheimer's disease need to participate in decision-making regarding their daily lives and future care for as long as they are able. If unable to participate, the known values and wishes of the person with Alzheimer's disease must guide all decisions.

People with Alzheimer's disease need a safe, restraint-free living environment, and protection from exploitation and abuse.

Family and friends who care for people with Alzheimer's disease need to have their caregiving needs assessed and provided for.

People with Alzheimer's disease and those who care for them need to take an active role in the planning and implementation of care.

Adequate resources must be available to provide support to people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers throughout the course of the disease.

Resources:

1. Everyday Ethics. Joshua Halberstam, Penguin Books, New York, 1993.

2. The Ethical Canary. Margaret Somerville, Viking Press, Toronto, 2000.