Nancy Berlinger, PhD

Nancy Berlinger, PhD, a senior research scholar at The Hastings Center, dives into the cultural narratives surrounding dementia, revealing their profound impact on patient care and life quality. She discusses the need for clinicians to utilize nonverbal communication and arts-based methods to connect with patients with advanced dementia. Berlinger emphasizes how harmful metaphors can stigmatize those living with the condition, while also addressing the limitations of a purely medical perspective. She offers practical tools for enhancing dementia care in primary settings.