What is this Study about?

Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition among people 65 and older and increases the risk of social isolation, depression, communication difficulties and dementia. Dementia risk may be reduced through hearing rehabilitation, and it is critical to develop tools for identifying hearing loss and its impact on communication. The Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire (HFEQ) is a measure to identify hearing loss and everyday life functioning, not yet been evaluated for people with combined hearing loss and cognitive impairment. To bridge this gap, the aim is to evaluate the HFEQ for this group. The study has a cross-sectional observational study design. Adults over 60 years, with hearing loss and with and without cognitive impairment will be recruited. Data collection will include a cognitive and hearing assessment, assessment of conversation effectiveness and efficiency, hearing and general health history and five questionnaires (HFEQ, the Life-Space questionnaire, the Social Functioning in Dementia scale, and the PROMIS anxiety and depression scales).

What is this Study about?

This study explores the air travel experiences of people living with dementia and their travel companions. We want to understand moments that may feel stressful, confusing, or overwhelming when travelling by air. The information gathered will be used to create recommendations for airlines, airports, and policymakers, helping to make air travel more dementia-friendly, supportive, and enjoyable for people living with dementia and their families.

What is this Study about?

This study explores the hospital experiences of people living with dementia and their care partners, focusing on how hospital and emergency department processes and interactions, often influenced by dementia stigma, influence care quality and outcomes. Insights gathered through interviews will identify barriers and opportunities to improve hospital care for this population. Findings will be used to develop recommendations that promote more responsive, inclusive, and compassionate hospital practices for people living with dementia and their care partners.

What is this Study about?

This study will assess if an in-vehicle Driving Monitoring System can identify differences in driving behaviours between older adults who are cognitively healthy, those with mild cognitive impairment, and those with mild dementia. 

What is this Study about?

This study explores Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as a potential treatment for mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, the mild electrical stimulation is delivered to a part of the brain called the Pedunculopontine Nucleus (PPN), which helps regulate cognitive and sleep-related brain rhythms. The trial will recruit a small group of participants to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of DBS-PPN in treating AD. The goal of this study is to see if targeting this part of the brain with DBS can help people living with mild AD improve their memory, thinking skills, and sleep quality.

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?

We are conducting three separate studies to explore the effects of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease or Primary Progressive Aphasia. tDCS is a non-invasive therapy that uses low electrical currents to stimulate specific areas of the brain. Previous research has suggested that tDCS can improve symptoms such as language difficulties and may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Our studies aim to investigate these effects in different contexts, including language therapy and overall mental abilities. Upon completion, participants will receive their study results to help guide their decisions about whether tDCS could be part of a long-term therapy plan.

What is this Study about?

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].

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.