Learning Experiences of Students from Different Specialties Participating in Dementia Cafés

―　Commonalities and Differences　―

Abstract

The "Dementia Café" model project, initiated in Japan in 2012, gradually gained recognition for its importance and expanded. A review of the literature on the learning experiences of students from various specialties participating in Dementia Cafés revealed commonalities and differences. Commonly, public health, nursing, and welfare students learned that Dementia Cafés serve as community interaction hubs and recognized their necessity. Nursing and occupational therapy students noticed differences between their preconceptions of dementia patients and those they met at the cafés. Differences included public health, occupational therapy, and welfare students gaining insights from their respective professional roles, while nursing students considered their involvement as community members rather than from a nursing perspective.