Dementia & Palliative Education Network (DPEN)

WHY NURSING AND DEMENTIA?

 Dementias are prevalent, debilitating conditions with far-reaching health and social effects.  According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, “There [were] over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia in 2020. This number will almost double every 20 years, reaching 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050.”  Large gaps exist in the US healthcare system for people living with dementia.

With almost four million registered nurses (RN’s) – the largest part of the US healthcare workforce – nurses are ideally positioned to lead dementia care transformation.  The Dementia and Palliative Education Network (DPEN) aims to train present and future nurses to better care for the increasing number of people living with dementia.

WHAT’S NEW WITH DPEN?