Recruitment Open: Nature-based pilot project for older adults living with dementia and their care partners

Research Team: Dr. Anthea Innes (Principal Investigator), Dr. Vanina Dal Bello-Haas (Co-Principal Investigator), Constance Dupuis (Co-Principal Investigator), Mason McLeod (Research Assistant), Equity Burke (Research Coordinator), María Belén Miguel (Research Assistant), Dylan Lu (Research Assistant) at McMaster University.

This research project aims to investigate the advantages of a nature-based pilot program for older adults living with dementia and their care partners. By exploring non-traditional forms of care and support for people living with dementia, this research aims to contribute to our understanding of innovative approaches to address dementia as a public health priority.

We are looking for volunteers for our study: Older Adults living with dementia (55+) and their care partners to participate in a nature-based pilot program for older adults living with dementia and their care partners.

Participation in this research is unpaid and completely voluntary, and there are no consequences for not participating. If you choose to participate in this research, there will be no consequences to for withdrawing from the study. Participating would entail completing a 5-minute demographic questionnaire, participating in a 30-minute interview to share your pre-project perceptions of nature-based supports for people living with dementia and their care partners. You would also participate in 9 nature-based activity sessions, once per month from April to December 2024, which will each last 2 hours in duration and take place at various locations in the Hamilton/Burlington area. Pre/post-session mood questionnaires would be distributed for completion during each session. You would also be asked to participate in a 1-hour interview after the completion of the 9 sessions.

Participation in this research is completely voluntary and there are no consequences for not participating. If you choose to participate in this research, there will be no consequences to for withdrawing from the study.

This research will:

1. explore whether and how participation in nature-based activities and interventions enhance the quality of life and well-being of people with dementia and their care partners.

2. examine the challenges and opportunities for nature-based support programs for individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

If you or someone you know would like to participate in this research or if you have any questions about the project, please contact Constance Dupuis dupuic1@mcmaster.ca

This study has been reviewed by the McMaster University Research Ethics Board and received ethics clearance (#6984).

Potential participants will be asked some screening questions to determine eligibility to participate in this study