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 StudyIn-person & Online
What is this Study about?
Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for conducting scoping reviews includes a consultative exercise with people who have lived experiences related to the topic of the literature. Such consultations, in the case of this study being in the form of a focus group, help ensure the findings remain grounded in peoples’ everyday realities, and as such the results of the review are more useful for informing policy and practice. Moreover, focus group participants can share what gaps they identify in the literature based on their lived experiences, which can inform future research that better addresses their needs and circumstances. Therefore, after synthesizing the literature for each topic, we are host an approximately one-hour long focus group for people who have participated in exercise programs for people living with dementia (exercise leaders, carers, and people living with dementia) who will share their thoughts on the literature.
Eligibility Criteria
• Living with dementia, a family care partner of someone living with dementia, or a professional who works to support people living with dementia.
• Able to read, write, and speak in English.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This research study focuses on resilience, defined as a trajectory in which an individual can not only adapt but enhance and grow in challenging circumstances. This research aims to: 1) explore resilience-related behaviours in the context of informal Plwd caregiving by examining which behaviours are related to resiliency and how these behaviours are meaningful to caregivers and 2) determine the role of environmental and individual factors in resiliency of caregivers of Plwd. I gave begun the first part of this study, will involved forming a caregiver research partner team to help to identify potential behaviours, characteristics and resources that promote resiliency in caregivers. They have worked with me in further developing research questions and methodology for a large-scale survey study, which I am recruiting for now. Choice of survey measures will be guided by both previous literature and research partner input. This research also includes a cognitive component in order to ascertain the role of cognitive abilities in resiliency. The results of this research will assist in determining the most appropriate social and community supports for caregivers of Plwd and the individual, cognitive, psychological, and social factors that need to be considered when determining suitability between specific supports and individual caregivers. Improving supports for caregivers will improve both caregiver and PlwD health and well-being, and allow Plwd to live at home for longer.
Eligibility Criteria
- You are currently an unpaid caregiver for someone living with dementia in Canada
- You have been in this caregiving role for at least 1 year
- The person you care for may live with you, in their own home or in long-term care
- You must be able to complete an online questionnaire in English
- You have access to an internet connection and device
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
Compass-ND is a research study designed to assess individuals with different sorts of cognitive and movement changes seen in older adults. We will look at the usefulness of imaging studies, clinical assessments and biomarker tests, together with measurements of memory, thinking and daily functioning, for distinguishing these changes from each other and from healthy aging.
Eligibility Criteria
- are between the ages 60-90
- have up to grade 12 education
- have an individual (spouse, friend, or relative), called a “study partner,” who is willing to:
- Accompany you to the study visits
- Communicate to the study staff of changes in your health status over the period of this study
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn person & Online
What is this Study about?
This study is part of a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) research program that seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of CBT in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) in mid-to-late life, especially as MDD is a key risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. As inflammation has recently been linked to MDD, and CBT has been demonstrated to reduce inflammation, this study also aims to understand the role of inflammation in MDD severity and in the likelihood of response to CBT.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
1) Are between 40-75 years old, inclusive.
2) Meet diagnosis of a major depressive episode determined through a structured clinical interview conducted by the study clinical psychologist
3) Are currently experiencing a major depressive episode of at least 3 months in length.
4) Have the ability to understand and comply with the requirements of the study, as judged by the investigator(s).
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This study explores the experiences of family and friends of long-term care residents. It focuses on how they experience stress, burden, and mental health challenges, and how a single-session online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or educational materials may help. We will use the information gathered from questionnaires and interventions to understand the effectiveness of these supports and to develop recommendations for improving resources, strategies, and interventions to better meet the needs of family and friends, helping them manage stress and maintain wellbeing while caring for someone in long-term care.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- are at least 18 years old
- currently reside in Canada
- have a family member or friend who currently lives in long-term care
- are not currently receiving psychological treatment
Recruitment End Date
- 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 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
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
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