Lauren Bechard

Research Interests: Lauren is a doctoral candidate in the Aging, Health and Well-Being program conducting research to understand how we can better use physical activity to promote healthy cognitive aging and to help people live well with dementia. To do this, Lauren uses a variety of approaches, from epidemiological analyses of national cohort studies to person-centered, qualitative research engaging persons with lived experience of dementia. Findings from these research initiatives will help enable people in later life to take an active role in aging well.

Current studies:

• COVID-19 health beliefs across the lifespan. Lauren is currently analyzing the data recently collected from this online survey
• The DELIGHT Initiative: Co-designing Dementia Lifestyle Interventions for Getting Healthy Together
• The DICE Project: Dementia-Inclusive Choices for Exercise
• Understanding physical activity behaviours and barriers in Canada's aging population
• Physical activity experiences, perceptions, and beliefs of persons with young-onset dementia