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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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 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 StudyIn-Person
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).
Eligibility Criteria
• Are 60 years or older
• Have hearing loss
• Experience cognitive complaints (subjective memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia) or,
• Experience no changes in cognitive function
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 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
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
The goal of this study is to explore the experiences of caregivers who are managing both their caregiving responsibilities and their own health needs, in order to better understand the challenges they face and to identify ways to improve support for them. The findings of this study are expected to help inform policy formation, intervention planning and design that addresses the unique needs of ill-caregivers. The knowledge generated through this study will enhance caregivers’ capacity and sustainability, thereby supporting their ability to deliver high-quality care to older adults while maintaining their essential role within the healthcare system.
Eligibility Criteria
- are 18 years or older
- are currently providing care to an older adult (age 60+) with a chronic illness (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, cancer), while also managing your own health conditions (e.g., chronic illness, mental health concerns)
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
We are inviting caregivers, healthcare providers, community organizations, and Alzheimer’s societies to take part in a research study focused on improving support for people caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Compassionate palliative care is essential for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. However, many families living in rural settings cannot access palliative care unless it is through virtual methods. This study aims to address these challenges by involving caregivers and healthcare professionals to co-design virtual palliative care support.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Are a family member/caregiver providing care to a loved one with terminal dementia.
2. Healthcare providers who medically practice in rural Ontario, focused on delivering palliative care to family caregivers of individuals with dementia
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn person & Online
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Participants must:
• Be 65 years or older.
• Be cognitively healthy or have mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia.
• Have a valid General class driver’s license and still driving.
• Be fluent in English.
• Own an insured vehicle of 1998 or newer model year.
• Drive to at least 2 different locations per week.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn person
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Are 60 years or older
-Have a diagnosis of mild Alzheimer's Disease
-Are fluent in English
-Have a personal caregiver willing to join the studyRecruitment 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: [email protected]
Charity registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001
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