Respect for the person with dementia: fostering greater user involvement in service planning

Respect for people with dementia and their involvement in service planning is explored, based on selected research publications and policy papers, mainly from the Department of Health and the Alzheimer's Society. This article supports the inclusion of people with dementia care in service planning as part of person-centred care. Necessary adjustments to research methods and ethics committee procedures for gaining informed consent are discussed, as is the importance of ethical policy formation and implementation, in order to achieve person-centred care. This will ensure a high degree of active involvement by people with dementia, enhancing self-respect and responding to the needs of this often marginalised population.