by: Alex Smith, @AlexSmithMD About 4.5 million people have dementia in the US. Thanks to the fantastic work of palliative care researchers like Joan Teno, Susan Mitchell, Jane Givons, and Laura Hanson we know a tremendous amount about the experience of dementia for people residing in nursing homes. Although the nursing home is sometimes the final place of residence for persons with advanced dementia, many people reside in the community with dementia for years, including the end of life. In fact, about 25% people with dementia live in nursing homes. The remaining 75% live in the community, either in private residences or residential care facilities. Unfortunately, compared to the experience of dementia in nursing homes, we know very little about the experience of dementia among community dwelling older adults. It's a relief, therefore, to see this issue covered in the most recent issue of JAGS . In a study of about 800 community dwelling older adults enrolled in t