A Literature Review on Studies about Advocacy for Persons with Dementia in Social Work Practice

Abstract

  This study aims to clarify the biases and research issues of previous Japanese Social work studies on advocacy for persons with dementia. A literature review was conducted and analyzed using a differential model of advocacy. This study found that the previous studies about advocacy for persons with dementia have focused mainly on the adult guardianship system and collaboration with legal professionals. Furthermore, previous studies have rarely discussed self-advocacy. This study concluded that ①a study about advocacy based on using the adult guardianship system needs a critical examination of the harms and challenges pertaining to advocacy for persons with dementia, and ②to further develop research on self-advocacy, there is a need for clarification regarding appropriate dementia type and level of severity.