November 4th, 2016
“By 2030, there will be more older people in this country than there are kids in school,” says Amanda Holliday, a clinical assistant professor and registered dietitian in the department of Nutrition at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. “We will see the rates of adults over the age of 65 grow, with the age group of 80-85 growing the most.” Holliday wants her students to become empathetic caregivers to this older population, but it’s often hard for young people to comprehend the physical and mental effects of aging. To help her students understand what it feels like to be an older adult, or to have dementia, Holliday organizes a hands-on activity called the Dementia Tour.