As dementia rates rise globally, innovative approaches to care are becoming more critical than ever. At the forefront of these efforts is the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), an academic alliance partner of the Queen Silvia Nursing Award in Finland, and home to some of the most groundbreaking research in dementia care. One of the leading figures in this work is Professor Tarja Välimäki, a key voice in the field of neurodegenerative illness and nursing science.
With a career spanning decades, Professor Välimäki has dedicated her life to advancing nursing science and improving the care models for dementia patients. Her work at UEF focuses on both the patients and their caregivers, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive care that addresses the needs of entire families affected by neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
“Nurses are at the forefront of dementia care,” says Välimäki. “We have a responsibility to lead the development of innovative care models that prioritize both patients and caregivers.”
One of Välimäki’s most exciting projects involves hospital clowns—traditionally used in pediatric care—being adapted for elderly patients with advanced dementia. This unique approach is aimed at improving interactions between patients and caregivers in nursing homes and enhancing patients social well-being. The research suggests that these interventions can bring light, laughter, and meaningful connection into care settings that are often bleak. “Joy and connection should be central to dementia care,” Välimäki asserts. “Through innovative approaches like art-based interventions, we can bring light and laughter into what can often feel like a very dark space.”
Another major focus of Välimäki’s research is the well-being of family caregivers. Her Family Finger Intervention project, which launched in September, adapts a preventive lifestyle model specifically for caregivers of dementia patients. The initiative aims to reduce the cognitive decline and health risks that caregivers often face due to the stress of their role. “Caregivers are often overlooked in the dementia care conversation, but their health is critical to the well-being of those they care for,” Välimäki explains. “We need to support them just as much as we support patients.”
This focus on family caregivers is essential, as research indicates that many caregivers experience significant physical and emotional health declines over the years they dedicate to caring for loved ones with dementia. Välimäki’s research, including findings from long-term studies, shows that caregivers who struggle with depressive symptoms or malnutrition often have care recipients who experience similar issues. The link between caregiver and patient health is profound. “Our research shows that caregiving is a long and demanding journey, often lasting five to ten years,” she says. “It’s essential that we develop care models that not only treat the patient but also care for the entire family network.”
The partnership between UEF and the Queen Silvia Nursing Award is a testament to the university’s leadership in the field of nursing science. As an academic alliance partner, UEF is collaborating with the award to advance evidence-based care models, particularly in dementia care, across Europe and beyond. Välimäki is confident that this partnership will help bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. “One of the greatest challenges we face is ensuring that evidence-based research reaches clinical practice,” she notes. “We have the knowledge, but now we must take the next step to implement it in meaningful ways.”
As Finland, like much of Europe, grapples with an aging population, the need for well-trained nurses and innovative care models has never been more urgent. The University of Eastern Finland, under the leadership of experts like Professor Välimäki, is helping to pave the way forward. “Nurses must take the lead in improving care,” says Välimäki. “But they also need the support to do so.”
Through groundbreaking research, innovative partnerships, and a commitment to advancing nursing science, the University of Eastern Finland and the Queen Silvia Nursing Award are making strides toward a more compassionate and effective future for dementia care. The work of Professor Välimäki exemplifies how nursing professionals can—and must—drive the changes needed to meet the complex challenges of neurodegenerative illnesses.
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