How Employers Can Lead in Supporting Family Caregivers — and Where AGE-u-cate Fits In

At the Penn State College of Nursing, empathy is being taught through experience.

At AGE-u-cate Training Institute, we believe dementia care extends far beyond healthcare facilities and into the heart of our neighborhoods. While dementia is often perceived as a personal or familial challenge, the reality is that it touches every layer of our society. Creating dementia-friendly communities is not simply a noble ideal — it’s a growing necessity that directly impacts the quality of life for millions.

Caring for people living with dementia is not just challenging—it’s profoundly personal, deeply emotional, and often exhausting. Healthcare providers regularly find themselves navigating a complex emotional landscape filled with stress, grief, and sometimes, feelings of helplessness. This can quickly lead to compassion fatigue, a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that affects both professional and family caregivers alike.

Recent developments have stirred anxiety across the medical research community, as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has paused the review and funding of thousands of research grant applications. With around $1.5 billion in research funding on hold—impacting studies on diseases from heart conditions to Alzheimer’s—this disruption has left many questioning what the future holds for biomedical advancements in the U.S.

Dementia is one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time, yet misconceptions and stigma remain major barriers to quality care. The World Alzheimer Report 2024 sheds light on shifting attitudes, persistent misunderstandings, and the urgent need for education in healthcare and communities.

Dementia care is more than just providing physical support—it's about fostering deep human connections through empathy. As the number of people living with dementia rises, care providers must go beyond traditional training and embrace an empathy-driven approach that improves well-being for both caregivers and those they support.