Material Citizenship in Dementia Care

Everyday objects play a vital role in dementia care by prioritising psychological safety. Objects such as a razor, that certain coffee cup, or curling tongs help individuals express identity and sustain routine yet are often overlooked.

Imagine starting your day without a kettle, your mobile phone, or house keys. In care homes, these functional items may be removed for safety reasons, or because it is believed that the inhabitants no longer need them. For people living with dementia, the absence of these items can result in uncertainty and confusion: distress reactions often pathologized as 'challenging dementia symptoms' rather than a reasonable response to environmental factors.

Chartered Psychologist Dr Kellyn Lee draws on her academic research and professional practice to clearly explain how her trauma-informed approach - Material Citizenship - can transform how we think about dementia and how we support people living with dementia.

Blending real-life stories with practice-driven guidance, this book equips both families and professional caregivers with practical tools to integrate objects into everyday support and difficult transitions such as moving into a care home.