About

My program of research focuses on maximizing the quality of life (QoL) for all individuals living with dementia, and their family/friend caregivers, as well as, improving the quality of work-life of their care staff. In July 2022, I was awarded the Helen Carswell Chair in Dementia Care by the School of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health, York University. I have been trained as a nurse (licensed to practice in Germany and Ontario), nursing manager, and health services researcher with a strong focus on knowledge translation and implementation research. My research applies an integrated knowledge translation model. That means that – in addition to an international and interdisciplinary team of researchers and trainees – my team includes a national group of over 30 people with lived experience (older adults with dementia and their family/friend caregivers), their advocates (representatives of Alzheimer Societies and family caregiver organizations), and key knowledge users (care staff, managers, health system and government policy makers). This group is involved in all steps of the research process. My research has focused on a range of continuing care settings, including nursing homes, assisted living (supportive living/retirement homes), adult day programs, and community/home care. I am particularly interested in the impact of social determinants of health, organizational contexts (work environments), and health system policies on the care and QoL of individuals with dementia, and on those who care for them. My research has involved large, population-based health administrative data, primary survey and clinical assessment data linked with health administrative data, semi-structured interview and focus group data, mixed methods, and literature reviews. I am also a co-investigator on the Translating Research in Elder Care (TREC) program of research, led by Dr Carole Estabrooks, University of Alberta.