Dementia and the Patient: The Quest for Better Care

Dementia is rising worldwide and there is no cure. An estimated 57 million people globally have the condition and cases are projected to rise to 153 million by 2050. Numerous factors are contributing to the increase, most notably a growing older population; a rise in risk factors like obesity and diabetes; and worsening air pollution, which damages brain health. In this course, we’ll look at the medical piece of the story, including the latest drug approvals, but we’ll focus most of our time on people who live with dementia and the individuals who care for them. Several key questions will be explored: How does traditional care sideline a person’s identity, personality, and desires? What are some of the innovative approaches—spearheaded by architects, clinicians, and mental health experts—that are changing the caregiving landscape today? What can family caregivers learn from these advances? And, most importantly of all: is it possible for people with dementia to live with dignity and joy?