Study To Support Caregivers Of Those Living In LTC With Dementia

Are you a family caregiver
of an older person with dementia living in a long-term care home?

If so, we may be able to provide you with support!

Dementia has a significant and growing impact in Canada, with more than 432,000 Canadians aged 65 and older living with diagnosed dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia affects not only the person diagnosed, but also their family members who are often their primary care providers. Once unable to care for their loved one at home they are faced with the difficult decision to place them into long-term care (LTC). This time of transition can be difficult and yet little support is available to caregivers during and after this time of transition.

In an effort to better understand how best to support family caregivers who have placed their loved one with dementia into LTC, Dr. Pamela Baxter, an associate professor, in the School of Nursing at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON has joined a research collaboration with researchers from the University of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. This team is now engaging in research to examine how best to support family caregivers in order to improve their lives and the lives of their loved ones living with dementia. We have received research funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada through its Dementia Community Investment Program. This research is important because we recognize that family caregivers frequently continue to be involved in the care of the person living with dementia when they are admitted into LTC. Yet, few supports are available to them through this time of transition and throughout the caring experience. The study will allow us to evaluate a new way of supporting family caregivers and help us determine how it influences factors such as hope, quality of life, loss and grief, loneliness, social support, and the handling of adverse situations.

To participate in this study, you must be a family caregiver (at least 18 years of age) of a person living with dementia (over the age of 65) who is currently residing in a LTC home. The participant must have an e-mail address and access to a computer and be reasonably proficient at using it.

If you are interested in participating in the study or would like to know more, please contact Natalie Meisenburg at [email protected].