Translating cutting-edge research into real-world strategies that improve the lives of people with dementia and their care partners
Building from our longitudinal study, we design and test evidence-based interventions to improve the health, well-being, and longevity of underserved and vulnerable, yet resilient communities.
Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action (IDEA) is a groundbreaking randomized control trial (RCT) for underserved older adults living with dementia and those who care for them. Tested with sexual and gender diverse older adults among the most health disparate of populations, IDEA creates a novel, culturally tailored approach that empowers and directly addresses stigma and access to resources. This project is supported by National Institutes of Health under award R01AG055488 (MPIs: Fredriksen-Goldsen and Teri),
IDEA uses an empowering, culturally tailored, stigma-reducing, cognitive-behavioral framework to:
This work matters because it responds directly to the urgent lack of culturally tailored dementia interventions for underserved communities. IDEA demonstrates that empowerment and inclusivity are not only possible, but essential – driving measurable improvements in health and well-being. Ready for translation into real-world settings, IDEA is transforming the landscape of dementia care and education across communities in our increasingly diverse society.
“The IDEA program is excellent for building problem solving skills and creating fun exercises – like dancing! – that meet our needs.”
“I am so grateful for the IDEA program because it has helped create positive change in me and my care partner’s life. I feel empowered, not stuck.”
“The IDEA program has made a big difference in my life, helping me see things I wasn’t previously willing to admit. I’m now able to open up. This program is so important!”
Redefining dementia support by centering empowerment, connection, and community for older adults living with memory loss without a care partner.
Care Café, was developed from the nationally recognized Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action (IDEA) intervention. Designed and piloted tested for one of the most underserved populations, those living with dementia and memory loss without a care partner or caregiver. The program was tested with underserved populations, including LGBTQ+ and sexual and gender diverse adults. This groundbreaking project provides a supportive program for older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias and cognitive impairments, who often face exclusion from traditional care networks. This project is supported by the National Institutes of Health under award number 5P30AG034592-07 (MPIs: Fredriksen-Goldsen, Kim, & Teri), Care Café:
By directly addressing one of the most urgent gaps for those aging without traditional care partner support, Care Café offers a scalable, inclusive model that demonstrates how community-based approaches can transform dementia care and education.
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