Speaker: Daniel George, PhD, MSc, Penn State College of Medicine

Pharmaceutical approaches to memory loss have long carried high hopes but delivered mixed results, underscoring the need for care models rooted in human connection rather than biological cure alone. In this talk, Dr. Daniel George introduces the concept of “socialceuticals”—arts- and humanities-based practices designed to spark imagination, joy, and belonging among people living with dementia.

The presentation highlights Opening Minds Through Art and TimeSlips, two intergenerational programs Dr. George has implemented with medical students at Penn State. Participants will also experience a brief TimeSlips session firsthand. The session concludes with a forward-looking discussion on how generative AI might expand and enhance these creative interventions. Rather than focusing solely on restoring memory, this talk invites audiences to consider how dementia care can be rehumanized through art, storytelling, and shared experience.