Over 700,000 people currently live with a neurocognitive disorder or dementia in Canada. With 61% of them living in a community setting, there is a growing need for equitable, person-centred engagement and accessible community programs that challenge stigma and foster inclusion.
A lesser-known form of dementia that primarily affects the language and speech centres of the brain was the focus of a research study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Ging-Yuek Robin Hsiung and Dr. Katharine Davies. The study gathered perspectives from speech-language pathologists on the communication needs of people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and their family members, pinpointing areas for improvement in the care delivery of this patient population.
As Canada’s population of older adults grows, so do the rates of dementia. Researchers across various fields are investigating new ways to improve the quality of life for people living with this degenerative disease, such as virtual reality (VR) and wearable devices technologies. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute experts Dr.
Diana Ljuljovic was surprised by sudden weight gain that started in her mid-40s. She consulted her family doctor, who assured her that she was still within a healthy range. However, Diana’s weight struggles continued into her 50s, leaving the registered massage therapist wondering whether this was linked to age-related hormonal changes and what was to come.
A picture is worth a thousand words for people living with dementia who were given access to a digital application prototype developed by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Lillian Hung. The co-designed WhatMatters app puts fond reminders of family members, friends and interests directly into the hands of patients and care providers.
Canada is undergoing a demographic shift, with the older adult population, specifically individuals aged 65 and above, growing at a faster rate than any other age group. This is expected to increase by 68 per cent over the next two decades. Currently, approximately 600,000 older adults in Canada, accounting for eight per cent of older adults, are living with dementia.
As Canada’s population continues to age, rates of dementia are expected to increase. A recent report from the Alzheimer Society of Canada predicts that nearly one million people will be living with dementia by the end of 2030, which could potentially lead to loss of independence and reduced quality of life for those affected. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr.
Music can transport us to times gone by and distant locales, awakening feelings of joy and calm even in the face of challenging circumstances. For seniors with dementia who participated in a recent study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Lillian Hung, the power of music positively impacted both the care experience and delivery.
Humans often connect with each other through lived experiences, which is why not being able to remember important recent events, such as a birthday party or wedding, can be particularly hard on patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and their loved ones. The work of Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Jeff Small examines an intervention that could support AD patients’ recall of important life events.
Mariko Sakamoto was completing her master’s degree in nursing and working as a transition nurse in a local hospital when she kept noticing older adult patients waiting around in hallways on and off for weeks, either by themselves or with their families. Part of Sakamoto’s job was to ensure access to adequate care and services for soon-to-be discharged patients once they arrived back home. The patients in the hallways did not fall under her purview even though they no longer needed acute care services. She learned that they were designated as alternate level of care, or ALC.
