Caring For those with Dementia: How Can Evidence Based Care Support Healthcare to Improve Outcomes?

Abstract

For healthcare professionals, a large percentage of the geriatric population in need of care has a diagnosis related to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019) estimate that there will be approximately 14 million individuals living with dementia. This is a significant increase from the present number of individuals with a diagnosis. With this growing number it is apparent that families as well as health care personnel need to be equipped for the unique care of those with these diagnoses. In 2019 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the minimal number of three percent or less of medical students choose to electively take geriatric trainings, which in turn proves that a miniscule number of providers are entering the healthcare field with experience to care for these individuals.