Therapeutic lying and approaches to dementia care in Ireland: North & South

Abstract

This all Ireland study found that that existing ethical and practice codes say it is never acceptable to lie to patients in any circumstances. However, the research found that the use of therapeutic lying is, in certain circumstances, considered an acceptable strategy by health professionals, informal/unpaid carers and people with dementia themselves.

This report was commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) which is now the Ageing Research and Development Division of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH).

IPH has produced a lay summary of the report for family and carers entitled: Should I lie: approaches to dementia care which is available at www.publichealth.ie