神經科學與人文視角下的失智症照護尊嚴

Dignity-preserving Dementia Care: Integrating Neuroscientific and Humanistic Perspective

全球逐漸進入老齡化社會，失智症也隨之帶來對個體生活與社會經濟的嚴峻挑戰。失智症以記憶減退、認知功能受損及日常生活能力的漸進式削弱為特徵，涉及生理、心理與社會層面的複雜需求，當前治療策略聚焦於症狀管理與疾病進程的延緩，對失智症者的心理需求、文化背景及照護尊嚴的關注仍有提升空間。在高度科技化的時代，若未能平衡科技應用與人文關懷，可能會引發潛在的倫理討論。本文從神經科學與人文科學的交叉視角，深入分析失智症的病理特徵與照護挑戰。在生理層面，探討失智症的病理機制、神經退化特徵及診斷與評估方法；在心理層面，闡釋鏡像神經元功能退化對情感理解與表達的影響、具身認知的改變如何影響人文關懷的實踐，以及心態與健康的交互作用對病人整體福祉的影響。藉由強化全人關懷與倫理實踐，不僅能創造更具尊嚴的照護環境，亦能推動失智症照護尊嚴模式的創新與進步。

With the gradual aging of populations worldwide, dementia poses severe challenges to individual lives, societies, and economies. Dementia is characterized by memory decline, cognitive impairment, and progressive weakening of the ability to perform activities of daily living. It also encompasses complex physiological, psychological, and social needs. Current treatment strategies primarily focus on symptom management and slowing disease progression, with little attention directed to the psychological needs, cultural backgrounds, and dignity-preserving care of dementia patients. In the current technological era, failing to strike a balance between technological applications and humanistic care may raise potential ethical concerns. The present study provides an in-depth analysis of the pathological characteristics and caregiving challenges associated with dementia, from a combined neuroscientific and humanistic perspective. At the physiological level, the pathological mechanisms, neurodegenerative characteristics, and diagnostic and evaluation methods for dementia were investigated. At the psychological level, the effects of mirror neuron degeneration on emotional understanding and expression, the influence of altered embodied cognition on humanistic care practices, and the interactions between mindset and health on the overall well-being of patients were elucidated. The enhancement of holistic care and ethical practice not only fosters dignity-preserving care environments but also drives innovations and improvements in dementia care models.