Breaking the Cycle of Despair

In this chapter we examine the three primary areas of research currently underway on dementia: prevention, cure/slowing disease progression, and care and services. We then explore the consequences for individuals and families of the singular focus on preventive–curative research that dominates policy discourse and resource allocation. We argue that this singular focus creates a “cycle of despair” and perpetuates continuance of barriers to developing and accessing effective care and services. To move forward with effective care and services, we argue that we need to construct a different paradigm. Our intent in this chapter is to offer a different way to think about dementia care and to suggest that we must devote equivalent efforts and resources to each area of research (prevention, cure, care)—and not neglect care and service research—in order to fully address the health and social policies that can adequately support persons living with dementia and their families.