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.
Quick Searches
Selecting one or more of the options below will update the content below.
- Observational StudyIn person & Online
What is this Study about?
This study explores the experience of family and friend caregivers when they are supporting a person living with dementia to discharge from hospital including the emergency room. It focuses on how caregivers experience discharge planning processes and policies, how their perspectives and needs are considered at this key time, and the impacts upon the person they care for and themself in the 6 months after a hospital stay. We will used findings to develop recommendations to improve understanding of the role, needs and rights of caregivers as they care for people who live with dementia in the community.
Eligibility Criteria
Caregivers:
- are the primary family or friend caregiver of a person living with dementia who lives/lived in the community
- the care recipient was in hospital including the emergency room and discharged to the community within the last 3 years
- you provided care between 0-3 years ago
- you provided care in Ottawa or the surrounding 200 km
- you are comfortable taking part in a 60-minute interview in English, French or in a different language (translation services are available)
- the care recipient did not have an acute life limiting condition such as terminal cancer for the entire duration of your journey of providing care.
Social Workers
- are a social worker who currently or within the last 3 years worked with people living with dementia who are discharging or who discharged from a health care facility. This may include hospital and community-based social workers.
- you work in Ottawa or the surrounding 200 km
- you have worked a minimum of 3 months in this role
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This research will examine the psychosocial impact on informal male caregivers of persons with dementia, focusing on the emotional, psychological, and social challenges they encounter while providing care. It explores the emotional, psychological, and social challenges they experience, as well as their coping strategies, support systems, and spiritual resources. A mixed-methods design will be used to examine the psychosocial experiences of informal male caregivers caring for dementia patients. Quantitative data will be collected using standardized caregiver burden and coping measures, and qualitative data will be gathered through open-ended questions to gain a deeper understanding of caregivers’ lived experiences and stressors.
Eligibility Criteria
- are a male
- between the ages of 41
- 70 years
- An informal (unpaid) caregiver of a family/friend diagnosed with dementia
-are currently providing, or have provided care and support for that individual
- are willing to complete questionnaires and answer open-ended questions about your caregiving experiences.
- are willing to do questionnaires and open-ended questions by phone or in person
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This study aims to evaluate how older adults feel about doing a set of tasks that ask them to estimate the duration of various events and ask them to recall past memories or imagine future scenarios. This includes gathering information about the level of difficulty of the tasks and how manageable the duration of the study was. The data from this study will help design a research protocol for future research aimed at evaluating differences in time perception along the continuum of dementia. Findings may be published in a research journal or presented at research conferences.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible if you are: - at least 55 years of age - fluent in English - reside in Canada - haven’t been diagnosed with dementia - have normal or adjusted-normal vision and hearing - haven’t been diagnosed with a neurological disorder (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, brain tumour) - don't have a recent history of a medical condition that may affect your memory, thinking, or alertness (e.g. sleep apnea, hypertension) - don't have a recent history of a stroke - haven’t been diagnosed with a serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, mania) - are not taking medication that may affect your memory, thinking, or alertness - don’t have a history of alcohol or drug abuse that affected your activities of daily life and/or required treatment
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn person & Online
What is this Study about?
This study explores how adult day programs affect the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers across several Canadian regions. Over time, we gather information about health, well-being, daily experiences, and quality of life of people living with dementia who attend day program and their caregivers. We also aim to learn about day programs themselves, such as their activities, staffing, challenges, and successes. By combining surveys, interviews, and focus groups, our program of research aims to understand what makes day programs helpful, where challenges exist, and how day program can better support families, and people who use them.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
• Are an older adult living with dementia who attends or does not attend a day program
• You are a family/friend caregiver of someone living with dementia who attends or does not attend a day program
• Live in one of the participating regions (Ontario, Winnipeg MB, Calgary AB, or Interior BC)
• Are able to take part in a conversation or complete surveys, with support if needed
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
The objective of this study is to better understand caregivers’ perspectives regarding the pharmacological management of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). While current recommendations are largely based on the opinions of healthcare professionals and experts, the viewpoint of caregivers remains underexplored. By better understanding their experience, we hope to contribute to improved guidelines and care for individuals with neurocognitive disorders.
Eligibility Criteria
- Reside in Canada and be 18 years of age or older.
- Be a current or recent (within the past year) caregiver for a person diagnosed with dementia
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn person & Online
What is this Study about?
YOD is dementia diagnosed before the age of 65 and consists of approximately 2-8% of all Canadian dementia cases (n = 28,000) (Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 2023), whereas late onset dementia is dementia diagnosed after the age of 65 and occurs much more frequently than young onset dementia (n = 597,000) (Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2023). Research has found caregivers for persons living with YOD experience higher levels of caregiver related stress, feelings of social isolation, and psychological and financial hardships. Further, caregivers for persons living with young onset dementia are more likely to be negatively affected by stigma associated with dementia in comparison to caregivers of older adults with dementia (Blake & Hopper, 2022; Chiari et al., 2022; Climans et al., 2023). A diagnosis of young onset dementia is atypical within one’s life trajectory, with many individuals being employed full-time at the time of diagnosis. As such young onset dementia caregivers often face unique challenges such as balancing the demands of their caregiving roles with employment, becoming the sole providers financially (Flynn & Mulchay, 2015), and potentially having young children still at home (Lockridge & Simpson, 2013; Svanberg et al., 2011). Consequently, it is imperative for resources to be designed to directly meet the needs of young onset dementia caregivers. Within Canada, most community-based interventions are designed for older adults with dementia and their families, with limited programs designed specifically for persons living with young onset dementia and their caregivers (Alzheimer Society Canada, 2018; Giebel et al., 2020). As a result, persons living with YOD and caregivers/care partners often feel unsupported. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study will be to understand the experiences and needs of service providers when implementing services for individuals with young onset dementia and their families. Findings will be used to inform the development of more responsive and appropriate community-based supports.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- 18 years or older
- Are involved within (i.e.,designing, implementing, or evaluating) programs for persons living with dementia and/or their family caregivers
- Understand the elements (e.g., activity type, target population) that comprise program(s) designed for persons living with dementia and/or their family caregivers
-Live and work within Canada
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
The aim of this study is to understand how people with dementia, family/friend carers and healthcare providers experience the Driving and Dementia Roadmap website. This website contains resources to help people in the decision-making about when to stop driving and adjust to life after driving. We are also interested in knowing how the Driving and Dementia Roadmap may impact how people manage stopping to drive. The findings of this study will be used to improve and ensure that resources, like the Driving and Dementia Roadmap will continue to be available for people with dementia and those who support them.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you are a:
a) Person living with dementia who is still driving or has stopped driving within the past 2 years
b) Family member or friend who is caring for or providing support to a person with dementia who is still driving orhas stopped driving within the past two years
c) Healthcare provider (physician, occupational therapist, nurse practitioner) who cares for people living with dementia
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn person & Online
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.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you are:
- A person living with dementia who has flown before, or a travel companion who has supported someone living with dementia during air travel
- Willing to share your experiences in a friendly conversation
- Able to communicate in English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn person & Online
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.
Eligibility Criteria
-Live with dementia or are a care partner of someone living with dementia
-Have experience receiving care in a hospital or emergency department in Canada
-Are comfortable participating in a one-hour interview (in English or French)
-Can provide informed consent, proxy consent, or assent
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: research@alzheimer.ca
Charity registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001
Follow us: