What is this Study about?

We are currently recruiting people living with dementia and their caregivers (i.e., family members, friends, or formal care providers such as nurses and social workers) for a study examining experiences with time among people living with dementia. The ultimate objective of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the experience of time among people with dementia, including how they feel about the past, present, and future, and how this time-related experience affects their caregivers’ daily life and wellbeing. Data from this study may be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at academic conferences.

What is this Study about?

This study explores dementia stigma within South Asian communities in Canada, a group that has been underrepresented in dementia research. Using a focused ethnographic approach, it aims to understand community beliefs and experiences related to dementia and identify ways to create a culturally appropriate dementia-friendly society.

The study will: Examine South Asian cultural understandings of dementia and dementia-related stigma. Investigate how dementia affects the overall well-being of people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers. Explore how individuals make decisions about seeking healthcare and support. The research also seeks to understand how social, cultural, structural, and political factors contribute to dementia stigma and how culturally relevant anti-stigma interventions can be developed.

Expected outcomes include: Generating new knowledge about dementia stigma in South Asian communities. Increasing awareness and promoting dementia-friendly environments. Sharing findings through academic publications, conferences, community presentations, and multilingual infographics in Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu to reach a broader audience.

What is this Study about?

Despite the clinical benefit and favourable safety profile of using focused ultrasound to manage tremor caused by Parkinson’s Disease, there is currently limited gender and cultural diversity among the patients we treat. We will use questionnaires and patient-led discussions to identify factors that prevent (i) women and (ii) a broader range of races and ethnicities from considering focused ultrasound to manage tremor.

What is this Study about?

In the past, frailty and dementia were treated as distinct entities; however, it is now recognized that they share a complex relationship. As a result, there is an urgent need for the joint investigation of frailty and dementia. Our survey aims to bring together perspectives from stakeholders worldwide who share an interest in frailty and dementia. We are collecting data over the next several months, via various promotional "waves." Once we reach adequate participation and thematic saturation, we anticipate that data analysis and knowledge dissemination will take approximately six months.

What is this Study about?

The aim of this study is to develop a new psychological questionnaire that measures compassion fatigue – emotional and physical exhaustion that involves a decreased ability to experience empathy and compassion for others – and captures experiences unique to individuals acting as care partners for their family members who suffer from dementia. The results of this study will be disseminated through scientific publications and conference presentations.

What is this Study about?

This study is exploring the viability of a potential treatment for cognitive decline in dementia by attempting to improve the brain's ability to hold onto information temporarily while doing things like reading lists, having a conversation, or problem-solving. The results from this study will inform future research in improving working memory and cognition in people living with dementia.

What is this Study about?

This study measures how well an online assessment measures brain health on mobile devices. The assessment includes different memory and attention tasks completed on a mobile device or tablet. We are also looking for volunteers for a one-session study to support the development of the desktop version of the Brain Health Assessment.

What is this Study about?

This study explores men’s thoughts and beliefs about unpaid caregiving for older adults in Canada in a 25-minute online survey. The findings will improve our understanding of men in Canadian society. This will help us to improve support and education opportunities for individuals with family members with long-term care needs.

What is this Study about?

Exposure to nature—even just a few minutes at a time—supports improved attention, mood, self-regulation, and social connection.

“Green health initiatives” are outdoor or nature-based activities designed to have a potential positive impact on health. Some of these initiatives are specifically designed to include people living with dementia. These can include walking groups, golfing, farm gardening programs, and seasonal social activities located in parks or natural spaces. We are currently conducting an international literature review to find out more about when and how green health initiatives operate to generate benefits for people living with dementia. As part of this initiative, we are planning a series of three consultation events to learn more about the interests of people living with dementia. For each consultation, participants will receive a $20 Tim Horton's gift card in thanks for their time.