Dickson, Chelsea
(2023)
Collective Care When There Is No Cure: An Evaluation of Dementia Friendly Initiatives.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
Nearly seven million people in the United States live with some type of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementia. As dementia progresses, people increasingly struggle with daily activities because of symptoms that erode memory, communication, problem-solving, and other skills. Most people living with dementia reside at home in their communities, often thanks to the millions of family members and friends who provide unpaid care. Significant resources are poured into discovering a cure for Alzheimer’s as it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Yet while there is no cure for any type of dementia, there is care. Cities, towns, counties, and states across the U.S. are creating Dementia Friendly communities that strive to help people living with dementia and their care partners meaningfully participate in the community. Since 2015, USAging has overseen the Dementia Friendly America initiative which supports the country’s network of over 300 Dementia Friendly communities. This study uses the RE-AIM model to evaluate the design and progress of seventeen Dementia Friendly initiatives with state leads. The findings suggest that communities’ most common goals are increasing understanding of dementia through training and awareness efforts, establishing multisectoral partnerships, and creating more engaging social and cultural environments for people living with dementia and their care partners. By detailing and measuring their work, this study aims to highlight patterns of success, roadblocks, and potential ways forward for communities to meaningfully empower people living with dementia and their care partners.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Thesis advisor | Degenholtz, Howard B. | degen@pitt.edu | degen | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Albert, Steven M. | smalbert@pitt.edu | smalbert | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Zionts, Nancy D. | zionts@jhf.org | UNSPECIFIED | UNSPECIFIED |
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| Date: |
17 May 2023 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Submission Date: |
26 April 2023 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
64 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Health Policy & Management |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
dementia, dementia friendly |
| Date Deposited: |
17 May 2023 17:25 |
| Last Modified: |
17 May 2023 17:25 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/44736 |
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