IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE IN DEMENTIA CARE: METHODOLOGICAL, CULTURAL, AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

Abstract The gap between aging science and practice persists. Getting the best possible evidence into the real world is a particular challenge in gerontology because of the complex needs of older persons, the family caregiving experience, the workforce shortage, and underlying structural concerns with how services for older people are regulated, paid for, and valued. The purpose of this symposium is to consider contextual dimensions to facilitate implementation, methodological considerations, strategies to inform cultural adaptation of evidence-based innovations, and how creativity and innovation in low- and middle-income countries can better inform implementation practices in resource rich countries and vice-versa. Specifically, Dr. Marie Boltz and colleagues will examine the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of organizational readiness for implementation and the operationalization of the construct. Dr. Joseph Gaugler and co-authors will provide case examples of three “hybrid effectiveness” trials in dementia care in different care settings including community-based and residential long-term care settings, each of which incorporate implementation methods alongside traditional evaluations of effectiveness. Dr. Lauren Parker and her team will demonstrate how cultural adaptation strategies were applied to facilitate the implementation of a community-based, evidence-based dementia care intervention. Dr. Baker and colleagues consider implementation issues and innovations in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Beth Prusaczyk, an implementation expert, will serve as Discussant and highlight future implementation issues to advance best practices that facilitate and expedite the translation of aging science.