Ethical dilemmas in the care of people with dementia.

Following a two-year inquiry, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics published a report in October 2009 on the ethical dilemmas raised by dementia. Community nurses play an important role in supporting carers of people with dementia, but face ethical dilemmas of their own, for example, balancing the needs of the person with dementia and those of the carers, and deciding when to share confidential information with others. The report sets out an ethical approach to care, as well as recommendations on specific ethical dilemmas. A key conclusion is that all professionals involved in the care of people with dementia should have access to ongoing education and support to equip them to respond appropriately to ethical questions that arise.