Laura K Neal

Dementia and Alzheimer's Laura K Neal

Dementia and Alzheimers are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. They are gradual progressive diseases that are painful to loved ones, expensive to treat, and exhausting to caregivers to provide care. This study reviewed four studies on how race, income, education, and access to hospice can improve patient and caregiver experiences when dealing with terminal diseases like cancer, dementia, and alzheimers. The analysis of the four studies reinforced information gathered from a local hospice organization where the researcher participated in a 140 hour internship. As a result of that internship, a project was designed to take hospice information and the Second Wind Virtual Dementia Tour(R) out into the rural communities in the eight surrounding counties of Tallahasse Florida, located in Leon County. The intent with this project is to improve education and access to hospice benefits.