At the RIA, we are leading national research initiatives to help Canadians live well with dementia. We develop resources and education to support those living with dementia, care partners and health professionals.
All of this work is done in partnership with those with lived experience to ensure it addresses real-world issues and enhances quality of life and care for people living with dementia and care partners across the country.
Programs and Projects
Canadian Dementia Learning and Resource Network (CDLRN)
CDLRN supports community-based projects to share learnings and help inform dementia policy and programming across Canada.
CDLRN is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Click here to learn more about CDLRN (Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus en français).
Dementia Surveillance
The Dementia Surveillance project focuses on enhancing the national dementia data system to improve our understanding of dementia and its progression.
Dementia Surveillance is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Click here to learn more about Dementia Surveillance.
Supporting Inclusion through Intergenerational Partnerships (SIIP)
SIIP provides opportunities for older adults, secondary and post-secondary-aged youth in the Waterloo Region to interact in meaningful ways — sharing time, skills, and experiences and building relationships with one another along the way.
SIIP is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Click here to learn more about SIIP and its funded projects.
Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP)
MAREP is a collaborative research and education program that aims to enhance well-being for individuals impacted by dementia, including people living with dementia, care partners, health care providers and community members.
Click here to learn more about MAREP.
Education and Resources
LIVING the Dementia Journey (LDJ)
LDJ is an award-winning, evidence-informed training program for those who support people living with dementia. The program emphasizes the importance of shifting care and services to focus on a person’s strengths and abilities, and how each person can be supported in living life to the fullest. LDJ was created in collaboration with people living with dementia and their care partners.
Click here to learn more and register for an upcoming LDJ workshop.
By Us For Us
The By Us For Us guides are a series of guides created by a group of talented and passionate people living with dementia and care partners. The guides are designed to provide people living with dementia and their care partners the necessary tools to enhance their well-being and manage daily challenges.
To learn more about the By Us For Us Guides and to access the full catalogue, click here.
Supporting Comfort and Belonging for People Living with Dementia
This guide was created to support team members in assessing senior living environments and discussing opportunities to create a sense of comfort and belonging for people living with dementia, particularly those who repeatedly attempt to exit.
Learn more and access the resource here.
The Experiences of Persons Living with Dementia and Care Partners during the COVID-19 Pandemic
In this study, researchers investigated persons living with dementia, and family and friend care partners of persons living with dementia to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their well-being and social connections.
Learn about what they found here.
Become a Research Partner
Are you a care partner or a person living with dementia interested in improving research outcomes by working together with researchers? Learn about becoming a Research Partner by clicking here.