Comprehensive Dementia Care Models: State of the Science and Future Directions

Area of Science:

• Gerontological Nursing
• Dementia Care Models
• Health Policy

Background:

• Increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias necessitates improved care strategies.
• Policy initiatives, like the CMS Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience model, highlight the need for comprehensive dementia care.
• Gerontological nursing research plays a critical role in advancing dementia care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of comprehensive dementia care models in the U.S.
• To examine relevant policies influencing dementia care.
• To identify challenges and opportunities in nursing education, research, and implementation for dementia care.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and policy documents on comprehensive dementia care models.
• Analysis of the role of gerontological nursing in dementia care research and implementation.
• Identification of translational research needs and opportunities.

Main Results:

• Comprehensive dementia care models are central to current policy initiatives.
• Gerontological nursing research is essential for evaluating and scaling these models.
• Significant challenges and opportunities exist across the research continuum.

Conclusions:

• Gerontological nursing research is crucial for the advancement and effective implementation of comprehensive dementia care models.
• Addressing challenges in education, research, and policy is vital for improving dementia care.
• The review provides a roadmap for future gerontological nursing research in dementia care.