Autonomy and Authenticity in Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Relational Caring Approach

This work explores the interdependence between autonomy and authenticity in the medical field, particularly in critical clinical situations such as Alzheimer’s Disease. The first chapter provides a philosophical overview to clarify how authenticity enriches the concept of autonomy, especially in the bioethical context. The second chapter focuses on Alzheimer’s disease and examines why it is a peculiar situation in which authenticity can guide autonomous choices in clinical practice. In the third chapter, a relational caring approach is proposed, emphasizing the role of the clinical relationship in addressing practical issues such as advanced directives, informed consent, and authentic communication.