Did you know that over 400,000 people in Canada1 have been diagnosed with dementia? Since most people living with dementia are over the age of 65, the baby-boomer population effect is expected to nearly double that number in the next 10 years.
This expanding number and the effects on those living with dementia and their care providers has prompted several research projects. Some research is focused on medical prevention and treatment strategies. Research is also being conducted into ways of reducing social stigma and increasing social inclusion for both people living with dementia and their care partners.
In early stages of the disease, symptoms many people living with dementia can experience allow them to continue with their usual life and personal routines. Varying levels of assistance and support may be required; these are as varied as the individual’s symptoms and the progression of the disease. Often, this support is provided by family members until symptoms advance to the point where long-term care facilities may be advised. Both the disease and the support required can take a heavy toll on the people affected, and often results in social isolation. As we all know from COVID practices, even the simple pleasure of shopping or going out for coffee may pose a greater risk for seniors and may make such tasks for people living with dementia out of reach.
Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewanis a project initiated by the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SHPERU)2. The project team is collaborating with the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan and other provincial and local organizations to design and implement individual, community and organizational level interventions that enhance social inclusion of older adults with dementia.
As more interventions and services exist in cities and larger communities, this study focuses on those living in small towns and rural communities. One of the local organizations that has become involved is Parkland Valley Sport, Culture, and Recreation District (PVSCRD), which is examining which social inclusion services currently exist in their district. Their research focuses on Preeceville, Sturgis, Norquay, Canora, Kamsack, Ituna, Yorkton and Melville. In the future, PVSCRD wants to provide information to sport, cultural, and recreational groups on ways of creating activities to make them more accessible for people living with dementia.
The PVSCRD Project Facilitator, Marilyn Bader, is conducting research through telephone interviews with a wide variety of businesses and social organizations to gather information about existing services and initiatives. Often, services that are intended to be more socially inclusive for people living with dementia are also more welcoming to seniors in general, as well as people living with a variety of other disabilities.
Telephone and/or online focus groups and interviews are being held to enable people living with dementia and their care partners to express their views on which services could reduce stigmas associated with dementia and assist their social inclusion throughout their experience with the disease.
A survey is now available which will capture similar information from a broader number of participants.
If you live in the PVSCRD area and are interested in participating in the survey or focus groups, please contact Marilyn at [email protected] or call 306-562-9121.
The online survey link is posted at parklandvalley.ca/dementia-project/ where you will also find more information about the project.
