Our Approach

Reimagining What’s Possible in Dementia Engagement

Hopeful Aging is grounded in the belief that a person living with dementia remains present and capable of experiencing a meaningful, high-quality life, regardless of the severity of memory loss. Our approach offers healthcare providers a practical, evidence-informed way to create and reinvigorate their memory-care programs. The principles that guide Hopeful Aging shape all of our research and development efforts, helping organizations design environments and experiences in which people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can truly flourish.

Evidence-Based

Hopeful Aging has been conducting research and field testing of interventions for persons with dementia for over 30 years. Led by Dr. John Zeisel (President), Mr. Michael Skrajner (Director of Research), and Mr. Gregg Gorzelle (Associate Director of Research), Hopeful Aging is a world-wide pioneer in the field of non-pharmacological interventions and is a leading non-pharmacological research organization funded by the National Institute of Health.

Hopeful Aging Researchers have successfully executed publishable research related to:

Techniques used to effectively communicate with persons living with dementia
Behavioral changes observed in cognitively impaired adults who take part in innovative engagement programs
Long-term outcomes of innovative interventions

Hopeful Aging research studies examine which activities and approaches are most beneficial to persons living with dementia. Standardized measures are used to determine the effects of different activities and interventions. Study results are published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences. Moreover, this research has been successfully translated into practice at communities across the United States.