Finding hope in Dementia

Dr. Middleton’s research aims to identify strategies to reduce dementia risk and promote wellbeing and independence among those living with dementia, with a focus on physical activity and complementary lifestyle strategies. She involves people living with or at risk for dementia, health care professionals, and community service providers as co-researchers to create accessible and effective supports and interventions. Recent projects developed strategies to improve the inclusion and participation of persons living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment in physical activity, healthy eating, and other community wellness programs and investigated the impact of combined exercise and cognitive training among persons at risk for dementia. She is the co-lead of the Canadian Dementia Learning and Resource Network.

Myrna is living with dementia and is an Advocate for People with Dementia and Caregivers which she views as most rewarding. Volunteering and speaking in her own voice have given her much pleasure. In Myrna’s own words: “As a person with dementia, my understanding of the negative and all the positive doors that may open for us if we give them a chance has been completely life-changing. Learning lessons at this point in my life has enhanced me while on this journey. We all have a responsibility to be happy, it comes from within. Support, not available to many, builds the most intense friendships and respect for each other.”

Karen Myers Barnett currently resides in Orangeville, Ontario and has had an extensive career as a social service worker. Karen studied social work at Ryerson University and community outreach & development at Sheridan College and is an anti-oppressive practitioner. She previously worked as a psychiatric orderly, and lead a rec therapy program for homeless men at Seaton and two dynamic employability programs for the homeless and multi-barriered youth. Karen’s mother, Celestine, was diagnosed with dementia in 2013 but was symptomatic for several years. Karen helps to support her father in caregiving and has become an advocate for people with dementia. She joined the CCNA’s Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Dementia in June 2020 to ensure vibrant early onset folks and visible minorities are represented. Her passion extends to supports for meaningful activation in care, community and home.

Social connectedness—perceptions of intimacy and belonging in relationships with others— is a priority for quality of life according to people with dementia in Canada and internationally. Applying methodology for the development of complex interventions, Dr O’Rourke identified and adapted several interventions for use with people living with dementia and their family and friends caregivers to address loneliness and promote social connectedness. The goal of this program of research is to produce effective interventions to promote social connectedness, and which people with dementia and their family, friends and health care providers find acceptable for use in real world settings. Ultimately, this research aims to have a meaningful impact on quality of life, as it is defined and understood by people living with dementia.

She is a researcher at the Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM). Dr. Belchior’s current research program focuses on community-based interventions for older adults living with dementia and carers, with the goal of promoting life with meaning. She has a growing interest in participatory research approach to better align her research goals with what really matters to the community.