Research Changes Everything

More stories and experiences from people affected by dementia are needed.

Research based on lived experience can provide help for today and hope for tomorrow. It can empower the individuals who participate to learn more about their condition and develop new skills, while also enhancing current data and research methodologies.  

The following are research opportunities for people living with dementia and their care partners to get involved in through the Alzheimer Society Research Program:

1. Eleos Cares: Virtual Support Project for Caregivers

The University of Saskatchewan has a computer and smartphone-based program focused on helping caregivers of people with dementia to incorporate more self-compassion into their lives. They need volunteers who are the primary caregiver for a person with dementia to trial and evaluate their virtual support platform over a period of eight to nine-months.

Participants must have access to their own smartphone and data plan and the person they provide care for must live at home. The program is anticipated to start in late February or early March and will conclude by November. Those who are selected will receive an honorarium at the end of the project.

For more information and to apply, contact Kelly Corrine Hall at (306) 966-8933 or Kelly.hall@usask.ca.

2. Experiences of local community-based programs and services in rural Saskatchewan

The Rural Dementia Action Research (RaDAR) Team at the University of Saskatchewan needs input from people living with dementia and family caregivers of people living with dementia from the Kipling, Weyburn, Bengough, Radville, and Carlyle areas.

Participants will complete one 45-60-minute phone interview. Persons living with dementia and their family caregivers may opt to participate individually or as a joint interview.

Contact Valerie Elliot for more information: 306-966-6645 or v.elliot@usask.ca.

3. Systematic Evaluation of Mobile Applications for Informal Caregivers of People Living with Dementia

Family caregivers of people living with dementia are needed to evaluate an app designed to assist caregivers. 

Participants must have a smartphone and cannot be currently using any other apps created for caregivers. Selected individuals will complete short interviews and questionnaires over a five-week period. Participants may also be asked to install a mobile app on their smartphone over a two-week period.

An honorarium of up to $75 will be provided upon the completion of your involvement. The study is facilitated by the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.

To volunteer or to find out more, contact Louise Castillo at: 306-337-2537 or louisecastillo@uregina.ca.  

4. Dementia Surveillance Canada

Participants are needed for the University of Waterloo’s dementia data system study to promote quality of life for people who are diagnosed with dementia and their care partners.

People from diverse backgrounds (i.e. newcomers to Canada, people who identify as LGBTQI2S+, people from rural and remote areas, etc.) are encouraged to apply. Focus groups will be offered in different languages.

Selected candidates will join one 60-90-minute virtual focus group with four to six other participants. Participants will be compensated for their time with a $25 gift card.

Interested or have questions? Call Vanessa Vucea-Tirabassi toll-free at 1-888-444-9668 or email: vanessa.vucea-tirabassi@theria.ca.

5. The Lived Experiences of Female Informal Caregivers for Individuals with Early-onset Dementia

Wilfrid Laurier University is looking for females who are the primary caregivers for individuals with early onset dementia to inform their new study. Participants must be informal caregivers who are unpaid and untrained for their services.

Your participation would include a 60-90-minute semi-structured virtual interview and a 30-60-minute follow-up call or email. All participants will be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift card.

For more information, please contact Hailey O’Neil by email at: onei5330@mylaurier.ca.