
The Alzheimer Society Research Portal connects researchers with Canadians looking to participate in research studies. On this website, find active studies that you can participate in to help advance research on dementia.
Qualitative study using semi-structure interviews to gain understanding of occupational transitions of caregivers during menopause to inform increased services to meet these needs.
-Identify as a female
-Be a caregiver of a person or persons with a disability or chronic illness
-Be at menopause (defined as 1-6 years post a final menstrual cycle)
-Be willing to be audio recorded
‘Bootle Blast’ combines therapy and video games. It has been used with children and youth with musculoskeletal disabilities in clinics and homes. Preliminary research supports Bootle Blast’s ability to engage players and support physical outcomes. Informal testing suggests it may also appeal to older adults. This study will test Bootle Blast’s feasibility with people with dementia. Pairs of people with dementia and their caregivers (n=10) will play Bootle Blast at home for 2 weeks. Data will include video recordings, surveys, balance tests, safety and adherence tracking, and interviews. This study aims to inform a more accessible version of Bootle Blast.
People with Dementia
• Live in Ontario, Canada (within a two-hour drive from Toronto, Ontario)
• Speak and understand English
• Agree to be video and audio recorded as part of the study
• Be able to stand and walk, with or without an assistive device (e.g., a walker)
• Have the capacity to provide independent, informed consent
Caregivers
• Live in Ontario, Canada (within a two-hour drive from Toronto, Ontario)
• Speak and understand English
• Agree to be video and audio recorded as part of the study
By understanding the perspectives of various stakeholders involved in dementia care within Ontario health teams, we aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia in Ontario.
You are eligible to participate if you or your loved one is living with dementia and would like to share your experience so that we can act to improve the quality of care for individuals living with dementia in Ontario.
Scientific evidence indicates that healthy lifestyle habits promote brain health and help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Our study consists of evaluating a personalized program designed to promote healthy lifestyle habits with the goal of supporting brain health.
This program, called Luci, is available as an online platform with virtual guidance from an advisor. Its purpose is to help participants change their lifestyle habits. It focuses on three areas: physical activity, healthy eating, and intellectual stimulation.
The aim of this study is to determine whether our program helps improve lifestyle habits in these three areas, along with other indicators linked to brain health.
You are eligible to participate if you:
• Are aged between 50 and 75 years of age
• Have not been diagnosed with a cognitive disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease
• Wish to adopt healthy lifestyle habits in at least one of the following domains: physical activity, healthy eating, and intellectual stimulation
• Have access to a tablet or computer with an internet connection
• Are able to speak English or French
This study consists of a 45-60 minutes virtual interview to better understand the experiences of familial caregivers of persons with dementia.
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Have been a part-time or full-time caregiver of a family member with dementia
- Speaks English
This study looks at how an at-home nature-based virtual reality (VR) program may help people living with Alzheimer’s disease manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as depression. Caregivers/study partners will have the option of taking part in the study and providing feedback regarding the VR intervention. This project will explore how VR can be used as a non-pharmacological approach to prolong aging in place for individuals with BPSD, as BPSD contributes to rates of institutionalization. This will take place completely remotely, in your own home.
AD-D Participant Inclusion Criteria:
1) Clinical diagnosis of mild to early-moderate stage AD (including mixed dementia with AD) using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed. Criteria (29)
2) Age of 50 years or older
3) Medical stability to participate in the trial
4) Patient Health Questionnaire score 5-14
5) Investigator judgement on whether the participant is comfortable with technology
6) Access to WiFi and a smart device for connecting on WebEx and downloading the Fitbit and Muse applications
7) Have someone available to be present during all sessions
Caregiver Inclusion Criteria:
1) 18 years of age or older
2) Available to be present for all sessions
3) Ability to provide consent
4) Access to a smart device
Caregiver Exclusion Criteria:
1) Under 18 years of age
In collaboration with our South Asian community collaborators, our goal is to gain an in-depth understanding of new immigrant, multigenerational, South Asian family caregiving for a relative with dementia amidst COVID-19. The goal is to inform future family-centered, healthcare interventions aimed at supporting equity deserving families during times of crisis.
To achieve our goal, we are starting to recruit family care partners living in a multigenerational home and caring for a relative with dementia from each of the four groups of South Asian families. We will be using a multiple case study to examine new immigrant, multigenerational caregiving for a relative with dementia from the perspective of four groups of South Asian families; 1) Pakistani, 2) Bangladeshi, 3) Indian, and 4) Sri Lankan. We will also be using secondary data sources, including genograms, ecoMaps, and key documents.
We will be conducting interviews with a family care partners from each of the four groups. Following these interviews, we will hold four focus groups with a new purposeful sample of South Asian multigenerational care partners to understand if the findings from the interviews reflect their caregiving experiences thereby increasing the reliability of the study findings.
You are eligible if
1. You are caring for a family member or relative with memory loss or dementia
2. You are living in a multigenerational South Asian Family
3. You Identify with any of these four South Asian Countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
4. You live in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Seeking individuals with mild, early-stage dementia ages 65+ to explore how they access daily information like weather forecasts and newspapers. The study aims to improve information accessibility for the dementia community. Participation involves a 60-90 minute session (in-person or via Zoom with caregiver) observing information access behaviors. Findings will guide strategies for making information more comprehensible and accessible. Participants will receive $50 for their time. This study is approved by York University’s ethics committee (#2024-176). For details, contact Dr. Somang Nam at [email protected].
Individuals diagnosed with mild, early-stage dementia.
Caregivers may participate to support individuals meeting the above criteria.
Participants must be able to engage in a 60-90 minute session, either in person or via Zoom.
The Communication Bridge 3 Study is focused on helping adults with mild to moderate Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a condition that affects language abilities due to neurodegenerative diseases. The study aims to improve functional communication and life participation by providing structured language and communication support remotely through video conferencing.
Participants work with speech-language pathologists to practice communication techniques and learn strategies to address daily communication challenges. The study involves a series of therapy sessions, assessments, and follow-up evaluations to measure changes in communication and participation over time. By tracking participants' progress, the study hopes to identify effective approaches for enhancing quality of life for those living with PPA and their care partners.
You are eligible to participate if you speak English as a primary language, a confirmed diagnosis of PPA in mild to moderate impairment stage, a communication partner that is willing to participate, and sufficient internet connection.
Follow us: