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.
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- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
Researchers at the University of Waterloo are looking for individuals to participate in a research study that explores the perceptions of dementia and health-seeking behaviour amongst Arab care partners in Ontario. This study aims to understand how dementia is perceived by Arab care partners and the use of dementia-related health services and community support services.
Sharing your experience will help us to understand 1) how dementia is perceived by Arab care partners and 2) the use of dementia-related health services and community support services.
Eligibility Criteria
We are looking for individuals who:
1. Are from the Arab community AND
2. Are a family member who cares or has cared for a person living with dementia OR Are a family member who cares or has cared for a person with memory challenges
Interviews can be conducted in Arabic or English based on the participants' preference
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This is a Canada-wide web-based survey of caregivers and healthcare providers of people with diagnoses of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related disorders. The online survey, which is available in English and French, explores the caregivers' and healthcare providers' experiences, needs, opinions, and burdens with regards to providing care to patients living with a diagnosis of FTD across Canada. The survey has been developed by a team of researchers with clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating patients with FTD and related disorders.
The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Canadian-Survey-on-FTD-and-Related-Disorders and will be open from July 1st, 2023, to June 30, 2024 (12 months).
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to complete this survey if you are 18 years of age or older and are either:
(1) A caregiver, currently providing care or have provided care recently, within the past year, to a person with a diagnosis of FTD and related disorders. This does not include formal caregivers that provide paid-care, private care services, community funded care services.
(2) A healthcare provider currently working in a primary care clinic and/or in a specialized clinic (e.g., cognitive and movement disorders clinics, memory clinic, etc.) where patients with a diagnosis of FTD and related disorders are assessed and followed clinically. This includes: physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, neuropsychologists, physiotherapist, etc.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
The purpose of this research is to re-imagine and disseminate through documentary film what compassionate, relational end-of-life (EOL) care looks like from the perspectives of diverse people living with dementia, their care partners, and healthcare professionals.
In phase one of the study we will explore understandings of relational end of life care from diverse perspectives using online research conversations.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you...
Live in Canada
Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Have a diagnosis of dementia, are a family member or a bereaved family member (within the last year) of a person living with dementia, or are a professional who works directly with people living with dementia or in palliative care
Are able to speak English
*We are primarily looking for people living with dementia and family members living in the community, especially from different cultural backgrounds.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
The purpose of this study is to assess whether a virtually-delivered healthy lifestyle intervention (over Zoom) is feasible for individuals who feel that their memory or thinking is declining.
Eligibility Criteria
-Are between the age of 65-85
-Are concerned about your memory and other thinking abilities
-Have access to internet at home
-Are a resident of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, or Quebec
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
We are inviting adults 55+ and care partners of people living with dementia to participate in an offering of a six-session culinary nutrition education program. All program participants are invited to take part in an optional research study examining their experiences and outcomes associated with their program participation, but research participation is entirely voluntary.
Eligibility Criteria
Live in Saskatchewan (priority will be given to participants living in communities within a 150 km radius of Yorkton,SK)
- Are either 55 or over OR a care partner of a person living with dementia
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
Increasing evidence shows that listening to music from childhood and early adulthood can help recall meaningful events from the past. Importantly, people with dementia have shown to benefit from listening to personally meaningful music, suggesting that musical memory remains preserved. However, the underlying mechanisms by which music improves memory remains unclear.
My research addresses the impact of an autobiographically salient music listening program on memory and brain activity in mild cognitive impairment. Understanding how brainwave activity in this population may differ, will help elucidate mechanisms of music listening that lead to cognitive improvements, ultimately providing insight into musical memory preservation and how it can be leveraged.
Participants will undergo cognitive testing and measure brainwave activity via EEG, a non-invasive neuroimaging method. Participants will be provided an online link (or CD if they do not have wifi) to access their personalized music playlist and will be asked to listen for two weeks at home (20 mins/day, minimum 5 days/wk). Repeated cognitive and EEG assessment will help determine changes in brain function.
Eligibility Criteria
- are 60 years of age and over
- have received a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment
- are English speaking
- have a minimum of high school education
- have adequate hearing and vision
- can identify 15 English vocal/lyrical songs that are associated to your personal memories
- can commit to listening to your personal playlist (20 mins) at-home for 2 weeks (minimum 5 days/week)
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
The aim of our study is to better understand whether certain lifestyle factors (such as physical activity and hearing) are related to early changes in memory and thinking abilities in older adults. We are especially interested in enrolling individuals who are South Asian or East Asian, because little research has focused on brain health in Canadians of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds.
By participating, you will help us better understand how lifestyle factors are related to memory and thinking changes in adults from diverse communities. We hope that this will lead to improved prevention and early intervention strategies for dementia.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you…
- Are 55-85 years old
- Have no major medical or psychiatric diagnoses
- Are comfortable speaking and reading English
- Are able to undergo an MRI scan
-Speak English
Eligibility is dependent on an additional conversation with the study team.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
The aim of this study is to support family and friend caregivers by creating an online community of caregivers called a Virtual Community of Practice. We will create and evaluate a Community of Practice to see if it can improve the quality of life, skills, and confidence of caregivers in engaging persons living with dementia in social and stimulating activities. The Community of Practice includes online information and regular group meetings. Information gathered will help to provide caregiver support by providing them a safe and informative place for them to learn and interact with other caregivers.
Eligibility Criteria
Meet the following criteria for Phase 1:
Person living with dementia:
(a) aged 40 years or older with a diagnosis of dementia; and
(b) currently living in Canada.
Or
Family or friend caregiver:
(a) aged 18 years or older and with experience in the last five years providing physical, emotional, and/or psychological support for a family member or friend living with dementia at home or in long-term care;
and
(b) currently living in Canada
Meet the following criteria for Phase 2:
Family or friend caregiver:
(a) aged 18 years or older and currently providing physical, emotional, and/or psychological support for a family member or friend with dementia at home or in long-term care;
(b) currently providing at least four hours of support a week for a person living with dementia; and
(c) currently living in Canada.
(d) must speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
This study, "Stranger than Family: Decision-Making & Ethics of Substitution for People Living With
Dementia Going It Alone", explores how people facing dementia alone are connected with a substitute
decision-maker and how ideas about capacity, consent, and decision-making affect them.
Interviews will be conducted with:
- People who are facing dementia alone
- Healthcare and social service workers
- Substitute decision-makers for others who are not close family members or close friends
The overall goal of this study is to identify opportunities for advocacy, policy, and practice change to
better support people facing dementia alone.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Live in Ontario or Alberta AND
- Have a diagnosis of dementia or are at-risk and planning for a future living with dementia and are
facing dementia alone OR
- Are a healthcare or social service worker, or other professional who has experience trying to connect
adult clients with a substitute decision-maker OR
- Have experience as a substitute decision-maker for someone living with dementia who is not a close
family member or friend
In addition, to be eligible you must:
- Be able to participate in an interview over the phone, on Zoom, or in-person AND
- Understand the purpose of the study and what participation involves
-Speak English
Recruitment End Date
Alzheimer Society of Canada
20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8
Information and Referral Line: 1-855-705-4636
Email: [email protected]
Charity registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001
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