Better Care for Dementia Patients in the Caribbean

The ABC islands, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, are struggling to give the best care to people with dementia. A new way called DEDICATED is being tested. It aims to make care more personal and comforting for those with dementia. Healthcare workers are at the heart of this change. They are learning to focus on the individual needs of each patient. This is a big shift from the usual way of treating everyone the same. The DEDICATED approach is not just about learning new skills. It's about changing how healthcare workers think about care. They are encouraged to see each patient as a unique person with their own story and needs.But is this approach really making a difference? That's what this study is trying to find out. It looks at how healthcare workers feel about the new method. It also checks if the care for dementia patients has improved. The islands have a lot of catching up to do in palliative care. This study could show if DEDICATED is the right path forward. It's a small step, but it could lead to big changes in how dementia patients are cared for in the Caribbean.