Concepts of Dignity, Coherence, and Care in Chronic Illnesses

These flashcards cover key concepts related to dignity, sense of coherence, and care strategies in chronic illnesses, particularly focusing on dementia, stroke, heart failure, and chronic pain.

Dignity of Merit

A special dignity that derives from a person's status or role, such as a monarch or judge, which can be lost through shameful actions.

Dignity of Identity

The subjective aspect of dignity that involves feeling valued and able to express one's identity.

Menschenwurde

German term for 'human dignity,' which is intrinsic to all human beings regardless of their actions or status.

Absolute Dignity

An inherent form of dignity related to human rights and self-identity that cannot be destroyed.

Relative Dignity

Dignity that is influenced by social and cultural interactions and can vary based on external circumstances.

Sense of Coherence (SoC)

A global orientation that expresses confidence in understanding, managing, and finding meaning in life circumstances.

Psychosocial Typology of Dementia

A framework describing dementia's onset as gradual, course as progressive, and outcome ultimately fatal.

Enhancing Quality of Life (QoL)

The promotion of dignity and personhood in dementia care to improve overall well-being and satisfaction.

Dignity Work

The efforts made by caregivers to uphold the dignity of individuals with dementia through respectful and meaningful interaction.

Contextual Features of Dignity in Dementia

Attributes that include worthiness and respect; antecedents include empowerment and non-maleficence.

Consequences of Dignity Work

The positive outcomes stemming from recognizing and preserving the dignity of individuals receiving care.

Comprehensibility, Manageability, Meaningfulness

The three components of Sense of Coherence that determine how individuals perceive and cope with challenges.

Treatment Burden in Diabetes

The workload associated with managing diabetes, including self-care tasks and navigating healthcare complexities.

Biographical Disruption

The impact of chronic illness that radically alters an individual's identity and daily life.

Spirituality in Adolescents with Cancer

The exploration of meaning and connection with self, others, and the divine as a coping mechanism.

Resilience in Chronic Pain

The capacity to adapt successfully to chronic pain, leading to improved functioning and well-being.

Dignity of moral stature

This is bestowed on a person earning value by good deeds, for example, a leader who has self-respect and who is motivated by ethical ends. An example might be someone such as the late Nelson Mandela, a person admired for his ethical standing.

Menschenwurde or “human dignity

Relating to a more objective or universal perspective. Humans have this type of dignity solely by being human. They have no need to do or prove anything, and it cannot be taken from them, regardless of the behaviour of others.

Two most important varieties of dignity inherent in care work are…

Dignity of identity and Menschenwurde

Dignity should be considered as a two-pronged professional value..

1. Subjective value directed towards self

2. Respect for dignity

Woodruff’s perspective on dignity and dementia.

• Basic dignity possessed equally by all members of a species, and a refined dignity requiring individual effort and social support to exercise one’s species-specific capacities.

• Conception of human dignity which “is grounded in the possession and exercise of the capacities to create meaningful lives for ourselves”

• An understanding that human dignity is rooted in our abilities to cultivate and pursue meaningful lives.

Woodruff’s perspective on dignity and dementia.

an understanding that human dignity is rooted in our abilities to cultivate and pursue meaningful lives.