Today, Tellegacy is excited to shine a spotlight on the pioneering work of Dr. Jason Karlawish, whose groundbreaking research on decision-making capacity in cognitively impaired individuals offers profound insights into improving health conditions through appreciation and positive shifts in outlook.
Dr. Karlawish’s studies have revealed that cognitive impairment, commonly resulting from conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, impacts not only memory and daily functions but critically affects the capacity to make informed decisions about personal care and treatment. Through detailed assessments, he discovered that individuals who retain a sense of appreciation—recognizing their condition, prognosis, and the potential impacts of treatments—demonstrate significantly better decision-making abilities. Notably, his research highlights that appreciation strongly correlates with a patient’s capability to consent to treatments, even in the presence of cognitive impairment.
In one impactful study, Dr. Karlawish and his colleagues assessed patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, discovering that those with insight into their symptoms and diagnosis were four times more likely to competently consent to medical treatments. This underscores the remarkable power of appreciation and awareness in managing health conditions effectively.
The implications of this research are profound: cultivating feelings of appreciation and empowering patients to understand and positively engage with their health condition can substantially enhance their overall health outcomes and quality of life.
See more about this work through Dr. Karlawish’s lecture here.
Tellegacy firmly believes in harnessing the transformative power of social connection and empathetic communication as foundational components of enhancing behavioral health. Our intergenerational programs are specifically designed to foster these connections, enabling older adults to reshape their outlooks toward more productive, edifying, and health-centered perspectives.
Our own data clearly demonstrates that when healthcare workers and volunteers are trained in Tellegacy’s relationship-driven curriculum, participants experience:
- Improved behavioral health outcomes
- Increased social connectivity and emotional well-being
- Enhanced ability to appreciate their own health conditions and manage everyday decisions more effectively
Inspired by Dr. Karlawish’s crucial insights, we invite healthcare providers, directors, and community organizations to incorporate Tellegacy’s intergenerational curriculum into their existing programs or to establish new Tellegacy initiatives at their locations. Our evidence-based approach is proven to amplify behavioral health outcomes significantly, demonstrating remarkable success in reducing feelings of isolation, improving emotional resilience, and promoting meaningful, empowered decision-making among older adults.
Join Tellegacy today and harness the power of social connection and appreciation, empowering individuals to not just manage their health conditions but to thrive through them. Together, we can create lasting change and healthier communities.
