What is this Study about?

Thinking skills (also known as cognitive functions), change from younger to older adulthood. In this study we are investigating how these shifting architectures of cognition and brain function relate to one another, and how these brain and cognitive changes impact decision-making in younger and older adults.

You may qualify to participate if you are: 1) 60 years of age or older, 2) right-handed, 3) in good health, 4) and have normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Participation will involve completing cognitive tasks, questionnaires, and non-invasive brain measurements using MRI. If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact [email protected]

What is this Study about?

This research aims to explore the perspectives of older adults living with dementia, providing a nuanced understanding of their experiences and challenges. Second, it seeks to investigate the role of physical activities in their lives, examining how engagement in such activities influences their cognitive function and mental well-being. Finally, this research aims to inform interventions and policies that can support older adults in maintaining their cognitive health and overall well-being.

The data will be used for the researcher’s master’s thesis, and for publishing peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed articles, conference presentations, webinars, and presentations for professionals.

What is this Study about?

This study aims to evaluate the acceptance and usability of the GuardIO Family Care app, a mobile application designed to support community safety for individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and their care partners. The study also aims to analyze mobility patterns collected from the app to explore how mobility data can contribute to the early detection of cognitive impairment. The findings will help improve app design, inform care strategies, and support early intervention efforts for individuals living with dementia or MCI.

What is this Study about?

Behavioral and emotional changes often accompany dementia and are a leading cause of long-term care placement, even more so than cognitive decline. This study is the first to explore how family caregivers make treatment decisions in response to these emotional and behavioural symptoms. We are interested in understanding whether caregivers turn to medications, consider non-pharmacological strategies such as environmental modifications, or use a combination of both. Using a quantitative behavioural economics model, this study will examine how caregivers weigh the risks and benefits of different treatment options. We are particularly interested in decision-making related to dopaminergic medications (formerly known as “antipsychotics”), which are commonly prescribed despite known risks for people with dementia. The information gathered will help guide the development of resources to better support family caregivers in navigating treatment decisions. Participation involves completing an anonymous online survey and is open to family caregivers involved in medical decision-making for a relative or close friend with dementia.

What is this Study about?

Participants will take part in a one-on-one interview (in person or online) to share thoughts on reminders and changes in behavior that should be tracked by the system. Interviews will last about 60 minutes. A short follow-up (20 minutes or less) may also be requested later to provide extra feedback on the system’s design.

What is this Study about?

This study is testing a digital reminder system for people living with dementia. The system sends alerts when daily routines change and collects feedback from caregivers. The goal is to improve the system’s design and usefulness. Results will help make reminder tools more supportive for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

What is this Study about?

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.

What is this Study about?

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.

What is this Study about?

In this study we aim to explore the motivations and impacts of disclosure a personal diagnosis of dementia or being a care partner on social media. The overall goal of the study is to develop an evidence-based resource to promote benefits of social media for the dementia community while minimizing its harms.