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?
Dementia Friendly Communities is a community-based action research study that will engage directly with people with dementia who live independently. The goal of this study is to develop an in-depth understanding of the community-related needs of people with dementia who live independently, and to explain and demonstrate how communities can be dementia friendly, and support social inclusion and wellbeing.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- identify as someone living with dementia or memory impairment
- live independently in the community setting (ie: alone in your own home)
- can communicate in English
- are able and willing to participate as a member of the Action Group.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This study aims to explore how the website, the Driving and Dementia Roadmap (DDR), is experienced by and impacts how people with dementia and family/friend carers manage the driving cessation process. Participants will be asked to use the DDR for 2-6 weeks, record their thoughts in a diary and take part in an interview or focus group.
Eligibility Criteria
- Are a person living with dementia who is still driving or has stopped driving within the past 2 years
- Are family member or friend who is caring for or providing support to a person with dementia who is still driving or has stopped driving within the past two years
- Are a healthcare provider who cares for people living with dementia
- Ability to speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
We are looking to create an online community of caregiving peers where the focus is on recording and sharing personal audio diaries and stories of caregiving. Caregivers and their partners will be asked to record regular audio diaries of their thoughts and experiences on dementia caregiving. Caregivers will then share some of these stories in facilitated small group discussions with a group of peers. Some of the themes and stories that emerge will be highlighted in a dementia caregiver podcast to share insights with the broader community.
Eligibility Criteria
Are a current unpaid caregiver to a family member/friend with physician-diagnosed dementia AND you are living with your respective care recipient
Are a person living with any type of dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's, vascular, etc.) and with any stage of dementia (e.g., newly diagnosed, moderate, long-term advanced dementia)
Ability to speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
Alert systems such as United States’ Silver Alert and Scotland’s Purple Alert support first responders in locating missing persons with dementia. In Canada, provinces are responsible for Silver Alerts. To date, Alberta and Manitoba amended Missing Persons Acts, but have no Silver Alerts. British Columbia has a citizen-led Silver Alert, yet no provincial legislation. This study examines how policies and programs for alert systems are developed and implemented in Canada, Scotland, and the United States. Findings will inform policies and implementation of alert systems to optimize the safety and well-being of people living with dementia at risk of going missing.
Eligibility Criteria
have experience or interest in using Silver Alert to locate missing persons with dementia and are a/an:
• Person living with dementia
• Care partner
• Alzheimer Society staff
• First responder
• Service provider
• Technology developer
• Policy maker
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
A dementia diagnosis impacts the cognitive, functional, and physical abilities of those diagnosed, which will influence their ability to perform activities of daily living including meal preparation and eating. Persons living with dementia can experience a range of difficulties while eating that will impact their ability to consume adequate food and fluids, which include but are not limited to swallowing, chewing, and self-feeding difficulties. Consequently, persons living with dementia are at increased risk of malnutrition and negative health outcomes. The objective of this study is to understand the experience of persons’ living with dementia or diagnosed memory problems and/or their caregivers in managing eating challenges and swallowing problems in the community.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Speak English
- A person with memory problems experiencing eating challenges or swallowing problems in the community
- OR if you are or were a caregiver to a person with memory problems with eating challenges or swallowing problems.Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
Our study titled "Investigating the Role of Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and Oxygen Extraction Fraction as Advanced Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease" aims to develop non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We focus on evaluating the potential of QSM and OEF to differentiate between AD, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Cognitively Unimpaired populations and to predict amyloid and tau pathology, using a Systems Biology approach. Leveraging the McGill University's TRIAD cohort, the study utilizes advanced imaging and machine learning to predict amyloid and tau presence, which could transform AD diagnostics and treatment. Methodologically, it involves preprocessing neuroimaging data and employing machine learning classifiers to analyze these features. The anticipated outcomes include validating QSM and OEF as non-invasive biomarkers for AD, establishing their correlation with amyloid and tau proteins, and developing predictive models for clinical decision-making, potentially resulting in significant advancements in AD diagnostics.
Eligibility Criteria
Are a member of the TRIAD cohort at McGill University, falling within one of the following categories: young control, cognitively unimpaired, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's Disease.
Are willing and able to undergo advanced neuroimaging techniques including MRI and PET without contraindications.
Have not had any significant neurological conditions (other than AD for the AD group) that might interfere with the results of the study.
Have no metal implants, devices, or other conditions that may contraindicate or distort MRI imaging.
Are not currently participating in other clinical trials or studies that involve interventions which might interfere with the results of this study.
Are able and willing to provide informed consent for participation in the study or have a legally authorized representative who can do so.
Do not have a history of substance abuse or other conditions that might confound the imaging and cognitive data.
Have not undergone any significant head trauma or surgery in the past 6 months.
Are not pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the duration of the study.
Are willing to comply with all study-related procedures, imaging sessions, and follow-up evaluations.
Ability to speak English and French
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
The purpose of this research is to re-imagine and disseminate through documentary film what compassionate, relational end-of-life (EOL) care looks like from the perspectives of diverse people living with dementia, their care partners, and healthcare professionals.
In phase one of the study we will explore understandings of relational end of life care from diverse perspectives using online research conversations.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you...
Live in Canada
Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Have a diagnosis of dementia, are a family member or a bereaved family member (within the last year) of a person living with dementia, or are a professional who works directly with people living with dementia or in palliative care
Are able to speak English
*We are primarily looking for people living with dementia and family members living in the community, especially from different cultural backgrounds.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
The aim of this study is to support family and friend caregivers by creating an online community of caregivers called a Virtual Community of Practice. We will create and evaluate a Community of Practice to see if it can improve the quality of life, skills, and confidence of caregivers in engaging persons living with dementia in social and stimulating activities. The Community of Practice includes online information and regular group meetings. Information gathered will help to provide caregiver support by providing them a safe and informative place for them to learn and interact with other caregivers.
Eligibility Criteria
Meet the following criteria for Phase 1:
Person living with dementia:
(a) aged 40 years or older with a diagnosis of dementia; and
(b) currently living in Canada.
Or
Family or friend caregiver:
(a) aged 18 years or older and with experience in the last five years providing physical, emotional, and/or psychological support for a family member or friend living with dementia at home or in long-term care;
and
(b) currently living in Canada
Meet the following criteria for Phase 2:
Family or friend caregiver:
(a) aged 18 years or older and currently providing physical, emotional, and/or psychological support for a family member or friend with dementia at home or in long-term care;
(b) currently providing at least four hours of support a week for a person living with dementia; and
(c) currently living in Canada.
(d) must speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
This study, "Stranger than Family: Decision-Making & Ethics of Substitution for People Living With
Dementia Going It Alone", explores how people facing dementia alone are connected with a substitute
decision-maker and how ideas about capacity, consent, and decision-making affect them.
Interviews will be conducted with:
- People who are facing dementia alone
- Healthcare and social service workers
- Substitute decision-makers for others who are not close family members or close friends
The overall goal of this study is to identify opportunities for advocacy, policy, and practice change to
better support people facing dementia alone.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Live in Ontario or Alberta AND
- Have a diagnosis of dementia or are at-risk and planning for a future living with dementia and are
facing dementia alone OR
- Are a healthcare or social service worker, or other professional who has experience trying to connect
adult clients with a substitute decision-maker OR
- Have experience as a substitute decision-maker for someone living with dementia who is not a close
family member or friend
In addition, to be eligible you must:
- Be able to participate in an interview over the phone, on Zoom, or in-person AND
- Understand the purpose of the study and what participation involves
-Speak English
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: [email protected]
Charity registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001
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