In New Anthology, Experts Look to Future for Managing Dementia, Mental Health

An anthology of 10 articles compiled as a supplement to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society focuses on the future of science, professional education, clinical practice, and public policy to address dementia and mental health in late life, reports EurekAlert . The series considers the current state of dementia and mental health research and care, cites public and professional needs to accelerate change, and reveals promising channels for moving forward in science, practice, health professions training, and public policy. Among the critical policy priorities for research, reimbursement, models of care, and clinician/researcher training outlined in the supplement are examples from the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program that specify the vital roles health professionals and academic researchers must fulfill in translating science into social and healthcare systems equipped to support care, particularly as more Americans cope with dementia and mental health conditions. For example, one in five older adults currently experience mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or addictive disorders, and the population affected with these conditions will likely continue to expand. Many people live with undiagnosed or untreated dementia or mental health disorders, which can take an added toll on physical well-being while also elevating the risk for emergency department visits or placement in a nursing community. The anthology's authors say the new series will help create "a solid theoretical base, clarity about meanings of mixed findings, and solutions to the challenges of conducting clinical trials, especially for nonpharmacological interventions treatment/prevention options that do not involve the use of prescription medications."