School of Nursing Nursing Professor Ruth Palan Lopez has received a grant from the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation for her work in improving dementia care in the Chinese American Community. The grant of $50,000 was bestowed because her project demonstrates a commitment to the design, development, and delivery of better and more equitable care. 

“I am deeply honored and thrilled to receive this prestigious award from the Hillman Foundation,” said Lopez, whose specialty is gerontology. “The financial support, as well as the recognition of our work, is incredibly meaningful.” 

Chinese Americans with advanced dementia are at risk for unwanted and invasive end of life procedures due to cultural and family-based decision-making preferences. The goal of Palan Lopez’s project is to enhance dementia care in the Chinese American community by developing a culturally tailored ADVANCED-Comfort program (launched by Palan Lopez is 2023), which is designed to improve access to personalized comfort care and empower families to make comfort-focused care decisions through education and guided planning.

Palan Lopez says she will collaborate with partners such as the Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center, under the leadership of Bess Lin, RN, MSN, and South Cove Manor at Quincy Point Rehabilitation Center, led by Li Chen, BSN, LNHA, RN. 

“Together, we aim to address critical issues faced by the Chinese American community, empowering family members and healthcare professionals to work collaboratively,” said Palan Lopez. “This project will ensure that individuals living with dementia receive the high-quality, person-centered care and comfort they deserve.”