Person centered care – the next 25 years Virginia Bell, MSW David Troxel, MPH Photo courtesy Touchmark

Person centered care today Positive Trends Wide spread acceptance that we need to support human rights, dignity, and maximum autonomy. Benefits of engagement increasingly clear. Persons and their carers are more and more knowledgeable & sophisticated Stronger voices from persons with dementia Concerns Many providers still focus on disability vs. ability. Wide spread use of psychotropic drugs Activities still often flat, unoriginal. We are not prepared for the explosion in cases. Access to services declining Research failures/lack of immediate new medications

The next 25 years

Dementia a human rights issue Increasingly dementia care will be put in a human rights context

Living with dementia Social engagement Exercise Learning & growth Community work Good food and diet Memory aides through technology Alzheimer’s as a chronic disease

Clubs and organizations for Persons will grow in numbers and importance Memory clubs at the gym, senior center, adult education programs. Self-help groups, “early stage support groups” will expand Day centers will reach critical mass Persons with dementia will want to stay connected to their communities. Long-term care programs will be more connected to the community at large

Dementia providers The market will reward providers who do a great job. Residential environments will reflect new ideas of home Training expectations will become significant

Diversity Providers and services will need to expand their reach and serve non traditional families including single persons with dementia without family networks Younger persons Multi-cultural LGBT Diverse faith communities Multi-cultural programs must expand

End of life dignity Greater attention must be given to end of life issues, late-stage activities, empowering families and persons with dementia to express their wishes and needs.

Stigma will end

We can still hope for the treatment or prevention magic bullet

Virginia Bell, MSW vbellky@aol.com David Troxel,MPH bestfriendsdavid@aol.com www.bestfriendsapproach.com