The Intimacy Barrier
How can you continue to live a normal life after developing dementia? For Irwin Altman, the answer is quite simple: how can you not?
Gloria Altman was a teacher, travel agent, and overall social magnet. Irwin Altman is a former partner to his beloved wife Gloria, and he believes that the key to a hopeful dementia journey is to normalize it in everyday ways. He is also a Distinguished Professor of Psychology Emeritus at the University of Utah and holds a PhD in Psychology, for which he specializes in social relationships. Today, Irwin offers advice to fellow members of his community.
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About Irwin Altman
Irwin Altman, PhD, is a psychologist specializing in social relationships. He has authored or co-authored 5 books, edited a series of 11 volumes on environmental psychology across a 20-year period (each volume following a particular theme such as aging, the elderly, nature, and public environments), co-edited the first Handbook of Environmental Psychology with Daniel Stokols, and published more than a hundred other works. Additionally, he has held senior positions and has received many awards from national and international professional organizations. He spent 50 years at the University of Utah in roles such as the Department Chairman of Psychology, Dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Science, and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. He is also a former President of two divisions of the American Psychological Association. He currently lives in a community in Louisville, Kentucky at the age of 96.
Gloria Altman was a teacher and travel agent who spent her time traveling across the world and square dancing. She loved being with people and people loved being with her. Gloria passed away from dementia in 2023 after a happy 70-year marriage with Irwin.
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