Canadian Dementia Learning and Resources Network
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Dementia Resources for Eating, Activity, and Meaningful Inclusion

Lead Organization

University of Waterloo and the University of Northern British Columbia

Location

  • Waterloo, Ontario
  • Prince George, British Columbia 

What is this project about and why is it important?

This project is supported by the Canadian Dementia Learning and Resource Network at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada under the Dementia Community Investment (DCI). These funded projects are actively developing and testing tools, resources, and approaches to promote the well-being of persons living with dementia and care partners.

The goal of the Dementia Resources for Eating, Activity, and Meaningful Inclusion (DREAM) project is to increase the number and quality of wellness programs and services accessible by people living with dementia and their family care partners, with a focus on physical activity and healthy eating.

To do this, we are working with people living with dementia, care partners, wellness service and program providers, and dementia service providers to co-design training that will give wellness providers the knowledge and skills to engage with, include, and support people living with dementia. We also developed resources directly for people living with dementia and their families, so they can take control over their own well-being through physical activity and eating well.

Who is this project for?

This project is for people living with dementia and wellness programs and services.

Resources this project has created

3 Key Takeaways

  1. We want people living with dementia to have access to all wellness programs and services in their community.
  2. To enable this, we will train the wellness program providers to understand dementia and meet the needs of people living with dementia in their programs and services. 
  3. Through physical activity and healthy eating programs, people living with dementia can improve their physical, cognitive, and social well-being.

Project Details

Duration: 2020-2022

Project Team:

  • Laura Middleton, Principal Investigator, University of Waterloo

  • Heather Keller, Co-Investigator, University of Waterloo

  • Kelly Skinner, Co-Investigator, University of Waterloo

  • Shannon Freeman, Co-Investigator, University of Northern British Columbia

  • Chelsea Pelletier, Co-Investigator, University of Northern British Columbia

  • Emma Rossnagel, Research Manager

  • Sarah Main, Research Assistant

  • Sarah Main, Research Assistant Cindy Wei, Project Assistant

  • Rachael Donnelly, Student, Research Associate, Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo

  • Hana Dakkak, Registered Dietitian, Ph.D. Student, Aging, Health, and Well-Being, Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo

  • Aderonke Agboji, Ph.D. Student, School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia

  • Alanna Koopmans, B.Sc. Student, School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia

  • Cameron Aird, M.Sc. Student, School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia

  • Isabella Romano, Ph.D. Student, School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo

  • Amanda Doggett, Ph.D. Student, School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo

  • Alle Butler, Ph.D. Student, School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo

  • Claire Buchan, Ph.D. Student, School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo

  • Huda Nasir, B.Sc. Student, Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo

  • Carole Johannesson, Steering Committee Member, Person living with dementia

  • Bill Heibein, Steering Committee Member, Person living with dementia, Member of the Advisory Committee for Alzheimer Society of Canada

  • Louisa Sanchez, Steering Committee Member, Care partner for a person living with dementia

  • Sana Aziz, Steering Committee Member, Provincial Coordinator of Dementia-Friendly Communities at Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia

  • Srija Biswas, Steering Committee Member, Programs Manager, Provincial Programs and Partnership at Alzheimer Society of Ontario

  • Iman Arab, Steering Committee Member, Physician, Intercultural Relation Consultant

  • Anna Wren, Steering Committee Member, Registered Dietitian, Manager of Healthy Eating and Nutrition Policy for Office of the Provincial Dietitian, British Columbia Ministry of Health

  • Ann Holmes, Steering Committee Member, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Certified Personal Trainer, Active Health Solutions

  • Fatim Ajwani, Steering Committee Member, Registered Dietitian, University Health Network

Project Partner(s):

For More Information

DREAM Website

This project is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada under the Dementia Community Investment (DCI).