Outdoor Activity Lifestyle Intervention for People with Dementia

Summary

The goal of our project is to evaluate the effects of parks visits for people living with dementia and their caregivers. The purpose of this project is to assess the effects of a park visit program on the quality of life, cognition, behavioral symptoms, stress, and burden in people living with dementia and their caregivers.

We aim to recruit 10 people living with dementia and 10 caregivers. Participants who are selected for this study will be provided with education related to the health benefits of outdoor activities, resources to help them complete their outdoor activities, and weekly support sessions. Participants will then participate in outdoor activities of their choosing during their own time over 8 weeks. The park visiting program in-person assessments of participants with dementia and their caregivers will occur every 4 weeks during the project.

This project will also provide families and healthcare providers with new approaches to help improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible ages: 65 to 100

Inclusion criteria:

1. Male and female participants who are 65 years or older;
2. People who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related form of dementia;
3. Individuals who currently participate in less than 2 hours of outdoor activities weekly
4. Presence of a family member or friend who spend at least 2 hours per week with the individual diagnosed with dementia
5. Individuals are able to mobilize independently or with assistance of caregivers or assistive devices.
6. People living outside of nursing home or long-term care settings

Exclusion criteria:

1. Participants with conditions that would prevent participation in outdoor activities such as walking.
2. Individuals living in long-term care or nursing homes.
3. Individuals with dementia who have no access to a caregiver.
4. Participants with limited mobility that prevents outdoor activities.
5. Participants who cannot communicate in English for the tests used in the study.

Participate

Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research

Method of contact

Additional information

Contact information

Dallas Seitz M.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor | Department of Psychiatry Cumming School of Medicine | University of Calgary

Principal investigator:

Dallas Seitz

Clinical trial:

Yes

REB-ID:

REB22-0788