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Dementia Research Activity

As part of the McCormick Care Group’s goal to advance dementia care, exploring new ways to provide care and support is an integral aspect of this effort. This exploration involves collaborating in research activity and working with our community partners to discover how we can enhance the lives of those in our care.

Current Research Studies

Be EPIC-VR (A Virtual Reality Version of Be-EPIC)

Dr. Marie Savundranayagam, School of Health Studies, Western University Be-EPIC-VR is a new study…

Dementia Competency Framework

Ontario Tech University, Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Toronto, and…

Virtual Presence for Social Connectedness in Long-term Care

Dr. Anna Garnett, School of Nursing, Western University June 2023 – ongoing During COVID-19,…

Falls Prevention – Evaluation scale for safe use of mobility aids in people with dementia

Dr. Susan Hunter, School of Physical Therapy, Western University 2019 – ongoing Background and…

Falls Prevention – Impacts of mobility aids on people with dementia

Dr. Susan Hunter, School of Physical Therapy, Western University 2017 – ongoing Background and…

Perspectives on moving to long-term care

J.B. Orange and Jessica Young, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University 2019…

Agitation and Aggression – Predicting responsive behaviours through technology

Amer Burhan, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Western University 2015 – 2016 Background This project…

Understanding grief and loss in caring for older adults

Peter Donahue, Director, School of Social Work, King’s University College Oct 2018 – ongoing…

Care Partner Training – Be EPIC – Enhanced PSW dementia training

Marie Savundranayagam, School of Health Studies, Western University 2016 – ongoing Background This study…

Past Research Studies

Research Study on Workplace Infection Prevention in Long-Term Care

Chantal Trudel, Associate Professor, School of Industrial Design, Carleton University July 2021-December 2021 Background…

Interior Design – Optimizing the design of living spaces for people with dementia

Natalie Rowe, Fanshawe College and Steve Crawford, McCormick Care Group 2018 – 2019 Background…

Using tablet technology to enhance conversations between people with dementia and their family care partners

J.B. Orange and Kelsey Dynes, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University 2017…

Using PhotoVoice as a way for people with dementia to communicate

Dawn Smale and Helen Jevnikar, McCormick Dementia Services 2016 – 2017 Background PhotoVoice is…

Impacts on staff of caring for people with dementia who have participated in animal-assisted therapy

Julie Casey and Rick Csiernik, School of Social Work, King’s University College 2016 –…

Therapeutic Gardening – Phase 2

Tracy Smith-Carrier and Laura Beres, School of Social Work, King’s University College, and McCormick…

Therapeutic Gardening – Phase 1

Jodi Hall, Fanshawe College and McCormick Dementia Services 2014 – 2018 Background This mixed-methods…

Agitation and Aggression – Standardizing care for neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in people with dementia

Amer Burhan, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Western University 2019 – ongoing There is a…

Care Partner Training – FaCET – Family care partner training

Marie Savundranayagam, School of Health Studies, Western University 2014 – 2018 Background While family…

Animal-assisted therapy and managing responsive behaviours in people with dementia

Julie Casey and Rick Csiernik, School of Social Work, King’s University College 2016 –…

Environmental enhancements in dementia care facilities

Iris Gutmanis, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University and Steve Crawford, McCormick Care…

Evaluating the quality of adult day programs

Baycrest Health Sciences and McCormick Dementia Services 2014 – 2017 Background This collaboration began…

Social Relationships in Long-Term Care

December 16, 2013 Katherine Boughton, Brescia University College Description: A student from Brescia University…

Oral Health in Long-term Care Homes: A Quality Improvement Project

January 2, 2014 Jacqueline Borrie, Lawson Health Research Institute Description: A dental hygienist and…

Dementia and Palliative Care

December 16, 2013 Emily Hill, Western University Description: A student from Western University’s Faculty…

Related Impacts to Dementia Care

October 15, 2013 Natalie Cooper, University of Manitoba Description: A student from University of…

Benefits of Exercise in Dementia Care

January 15, 2013 Susan Muir, Western University Description: A post-doctoral fellow from Western University…

How Dementia Care Knowledge is Shared Among Care Partners

March 19, 2012 Ryan DeForge, PhD, Western University Description: A student from Western University’s…