DIGNITY AND ETHICS OF CARE IN THE NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

In the context of neurodegenerative diseases the doctor is called more than in other areas to respond not only to the simple question of health, but also to the need of assistance, which implicates the necessity of relationship, too. The scheme of symptom-diagnosis-treatment-healing is to be replaced in these cases with a treatment based on an open system of uncertain length and results. It is a model called "medicine of incurable", which aims to combat the discomfort of the disease rather than the fight against the disease. In this perspective, the commitment to ensure a quality of life to the sick in itself means attention to his dignity, which is expressed in acting towards him treating him always as a person, that is protagonist of his life, and then to recognize his right to be assisted in physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions. In this model it becomes particularly important to converse with the patient, even if affected by cognitive pathologies, as well as to stimulate hope, with the belief that human being, if properly supported, is still able, even in extremely critical situations, to make out of his personal experience a chance to grow, thanks to the construction of new balances, however weak they may be.