Dementia, bodies and technologies of the We : A video analysis of interactions under conditions of uncertainty

Abstract

This chapter investigates how intercorporeal practices and technologies enable interactions with individuals suffering from dementia, particularly in late stages. Using video analysis of interactions in German senior residences, the study reveals how bodily techniques – referred to as “technologies of the We” – facilitate mutual understanding and coordinated actions even when linguistic and cognitive abilities are diminished. Drawing from ethnomethodology, phenomenology, and medical sociology, the research highlights how professional caregivers use touch, movement, and rhythm to form “We-relations”, fostering a shared space of social interaction with dementia patients. These technologies demonstrate that despite cognitive decline, embodied knowledge and intercorporeal coordination can maintain social connectedness and enable caregiving under conditions of uncertainty. The findings underscore the significance of embodied communication in dementia care and offer insights into the sociality of dementia in increasingly ageing societies.