Gary Christopher

Bio.

I am a gerontologist and the Ageing Well lead at UWE Bristol (Psychological Sciences Research Group). My research focuses on memory and emotion regulation within the context of mental health, specifically older adults, dementia, and depression. I have published 27 journal articles and have written two books (The Psychology of Ageing: From Mind to Society; Confronting the Existential Threat of Dementia: An Exploration into Emotion Regulation) with two more on the way (to be published in 2021). I sit on the National Executive Committee of the British Society of Gerontology.

Abstract.

This talk will consider dementia as an existential threat, both to people diagnosed with the condition and their carers. Dementia not only gradually erodes our most fundamental abilities, but it does so at a time of life when the resources of individuals, couples, and families are already stretched. While many people living with dementia can adapt to their diagnosis and acknowledge its impact on them, for many others, it remains too threatening and painful to do this. Dr Christopher's work explores new ways of intervening to boost psychological resources and thereby support people facing the existential threat of dementia.