Our research focuses on understanding and determining how to effectively mange nutrition challenges, education, resource and program development and evaluation for persons living with dementia and their care partners. Learn more about some of current projects:
Cooking Together
Cooking and baking are common activities that can bring generations together. Cooking Together is the development of an intergenerational cooking program for youth (aged 14-19 years) and people living with dementia, using a co-design, feasibility and pilot testing approach.
Understanding Swallowing Problems and Eating Challenges among Persons Living with Dementia in the Community
Persons living with dementia experience cognitive and functional changes that can increase their risk of malnutrition. Swallowing problems and eating challenges are issues that impact their ability to meet their nutritional needs. The aim of this project is to understand swallowing problems and eating challenges among persons living with dementia in the community. This project will describe the perspectives of registered dietitians, persons living with dementia, and their caregivers and will examine factors associated with swallowing problems and eating challenges in the community. The findings of this research will inform future intervention studies to address the issue of malnutrition in this population.
DeLIGHT and Move & Eat Well
Dementia Lifestyle Interventions for Growing Healthy Together (DeLIGHT) is a project led by Heather Keller, Carrie McAiney, and Laura Middleton. We are collaborating with persons living with dementia, care partners, nurse practitioners, and other community members to design a program for older adults living with memory changes and their care partners.
Knowledge Translation
Knowledge translation and sharing is a key aspect of our Dementia research.
Working with the Dementia Resources for Eating, Activity, and Meaningful Inclusion (DREAM) Team, led to the development of an evidence-based toolkit comprised of resources, learning modules, and videos designed to inform service providers and persons living with dementia and their care partners themselves on rights and inclusion, dementia-friendly mealtimes/exercise, and more. These modules and resources can be accessed on the DREAM website.