The Voice of the Older Person with advanced dementia in residential aged care (RAC): What does it mean for a resident to have their voice in RAC?

Abstract

The voice of the person with advanced dementia is a significant aspect of how they live their daily life in a residential aged care home. Some studies investigate an aspect of the person's voice such as being embodied, or expressing their storied identity. However, there is a dearth of literature considering the person's own experience of their voice, and their perspectives on having their voice. Moreover, an integrated, multi-dimensional approach to understanding their voice has not been undertaken. This research took place within two memory support houses in two residential aged care homes, with people with advanced dementia becoming active participants. The aims were to explore how these people express their voices; and what are the meanings they give to having their voice. In addition, family and diverse staff members were interviewed about how the person with advanced dementia expresses their voice; and how they seek to promote the voices of people with advanced dementia.