The Science of Kinder, Gentler “Lies” in Dementia Care

While flying across the country to visit my 92-year old mother, I read a fascinating piece in the October 8 issue of The New Yorker that describes modern efforts to provide “better” alternatives for care of individuals with dementia.  Part of the article focuses on innovative uses of physical space to create an “olden days” street, a storefront from childhood, or other “settings” that might stimulate memories and help individuals who are living in the past to feel”at home” in a care setting.  The the opening example is based on of Chagrin Falls in Ohio.  Certainly intriguing.

But that wasn’t even the most interesting part of the article.  The article goes deeply into the question of whether such articfi