
With a significant population grappling with Alzheimer’s and related dementias in the U.S., the University of Minnesota School of Public Health is taking a definitive step forward, launching a new center focused on improving dementia care. The Establishing Mechanisms of Benefit to Reinforce the Alzheimer’s Care Experience (EMBRACE) AD/ADRD Roybal Center, made possible through a substantive $5.8 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, aims to propel the science behind dementia care by conducting at least six trials that test and refine care interventions. By outlining a mechanism-driven approach, EMBRACE zeroes in on why certain interventions are effective, information that is crucial when considering how to adapt and scale these to broader home and community settings, as detailed on the University's release.
Professor Joseph Gaugler from the School of Public Health, co-lead of the EMBRACE Center, highlighted a traditional disconnect in care sciences, stating, "In dementia care science, interventions are not always designed with implementation in mind," this perspective reflects the center's mission to bridge the gap between breakthrough research and practical, scalable solutions. The initiative is not only about fine-tuning interventions but ensuring they're crafted with practical deployment at the forefront, which is exemplified in an upcoming trial led by SPH assistant professor Manka Nkimbeng that adapts cognitive behavioral support for family members caring for those with dementia specifically to the African immigrant community.
Bringing together a network of institutions including the University of Wisconsin, Drexel University, and the University of Pennsylvania, the EMBRACE Center stands as a beacon of interdisciplinary commitment. It's a hub not just for testing but also for providing vital resources and consultation for researchers intent on pushing their trials toward more extensive and rigorous testing. The center will also focus on education by offering workshops and resources aimed at advancing dementia care science, a critical step to address the needs of the millions affected by ADRD and those who support them.
At its core, the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health, an entity dedicated to tackling today's most momentous health challenges, is reinforcing its mission with the launch of the EMBRACE Center; it's preparing leaders, partnering with various sectors, and striving for health equity.