PROGRESS REPORT
CANADIAN DEMENTIA KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION NETWORK
FUNDING PERIOD OF REPORT: FEBRUARY 1, 2010 TO MARCH 31, 2011
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: KENNETH ROCKWOOD
CONTACT INFORMATION: KENNETH.ROCKWOOD@DAL.CA
1421- 5955 VETERANS’ MEMORIAL LANE
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
B3H 2E1
(902) 473-8631
DATE OF REPORT: APRIL 15, 2011
Table of Contents
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT .................................................................................................... 2
1.1.
Governance/Organizational Structure ........................................................................... 2
1.2.
National and International Linkages ............................................................................... 3
1.3.
Website and Key Communication Media ....................................................................... 3
SECTION 2: TRAINING AND EDUCATION ................................................................................. 5
2.1.
Building Capacity in the AD&D Research Community ................................................... 5
2.2.
Building Capacity in the Knowledge User Community ................................................... 5
2.3.
Postdoctoral Training and Mentoring Activities ............................................................ 7
2.4.
Research Projects and Activities Addressing Ethnic, Gender and Sex........................... 7
2.5.
Research Projects and Activities Addressing Ethics ....................................................... 7
SECTION 3: KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION OUTCOMES .............................................................. 8
3.1.
Applications of research knowledge to KT&E ................................................................ 8
3.2.
KT activities to link Researchers, trainees and knowledge users .................................. 8
3.3.
Evaluation Activities ........................................................................................................ 9
SECTION 4: RESEARCH ......................................................................................................... 10
4.1.
Research and Projects Supported by Grant Funds ....................................................... 10
4.2.
2009-10 Research Projects Progress Reports ............................................................... 11
SECTION 5: PARTNERSHIPS .................................................................................................. 13
SECTION 6: COMMENTS ..................................................................................................... 155
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SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT
1.1. Governance/Organizational Structure
The Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network operates as virtual network under the
administrative processes of Dalhousie University. The day to day operations of CDKTN are
overseen by the Management Committee (MC) while wider operations are advised by the
National Advisory Board (NAB). The MC consists of eleven members including the five coapplicants, four experts in the field of knowledge translation, dementia and program evaluation
and an ex officio member representing CIHR. The Chair of the Committee is Kenneth Rockwood,
the Principal Investigator. The MC holds monthly conference calls/web-based meetings, and
minimum one face-to-face meeting each year. The CDKTN NAB membership consists of 14
members including representatives from Alzheimer Society of Canada, Victoria Order of Nurses
(VON), the pharmaceutical industry, long-term care sector, seniors’ advisory committees,
national/international research and dementia service centres and an ex officio member of
CIHR-IA. Membership of key committees and boards are listed in Appendix 1a.
In total, nine Management Committee meetings were conducted between February 1, 2010
and March 31, 2011, and two National Advisory Board meetings. Where possible, monthly
teleconferences were replaced by in-person meetings for MC and NAB; these are convened
during nationally and internationally scheduled events when several members are in
attendance. Four in-person meetings occurred over the last year. The first took place in Ottawa
on March 29th during the Bruyère Continuing Care Institute. The second was held in Hawaii
during the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, a renowned Alzheimer’s
Conference with over 4000 delegates. The third occurred on September 29th in Halifax to
coincide with the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health 4th National Conference (and a
National Advisory Board meeting was convened at this time for 2010). On March 29th, 2011, a
fourth face-to-face meeting was held during the Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference
in Toronto and one of the NAB members joined this meeting.
Supporting the MC and NAB efforts were bi-monthly operational meetings facilitated by the
CDKTN project office. Meetings among CDKTN network personnel allowed for planning and
implementation of network activities, e.g. regional and national workshops and conferences,
building network recognition through web initiatives and videos, exploring opportunities for
new funding and budget reviews. These meetings occurred virtually to incorporate CDKTN
network personnel from across Canada. Additionally, CDKTN’s Theme 2 Knowledge Resource
and Knowledge Exchange team (CDRAKE) has established a National CDRAKE Steering
Committee. Membership includes representatives from various constituents critical to
knowledge exchange, such as policy makers, researchers, educators, providers and
representatives from consumer organizations. The Steering Committee meets on a quarterly
basis via teleconference and web-based interfaces.
The CDKTN project office personnel include full-time (FT) and part-time (PT) employees. The
national network office personnel are: Cathy MacNutt, Project Director (PT), Cynthia Giles,
CDKTN Project Manager (FT) (members of Project Management Institute), Sarah Kehoe, Project
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Office Research Assistant (FT), Geralyn MacLellan, Financial Officer (FT) and a Public Relations
Assistant (co-op placement PT supported by provincial co-op funding). Each research theme
lead has a budget and a full-time network assistant dedicated to their project deliverables
focused on KT activities and collaborations. The two provincial nodes both have a budget and a
part-time network assistant to help them foster new opportunities and partnerships for KT,
including workshops within and among the different regions in Canada.
CDKTN Network Governance Structure Diagram is listed in Appendix 1b. A summary of network
integrated efforts and focuses is outlined in Appendix 1c.
1.2. National and International Linkages
Evidence of national linkage of CDKTN is provided in the MC, NAB, and CDRAKE committee
members list, referenced earlier, and available in Appendix 1a and under section 5:
Partnerships. Theme partnership efforts are supplemented with provincial node partnerships.
At the provincial level, the nodes encourage knowledge sharing and fostering network
connections among groups that may otherwise been excluded. CDKTN has a national scope and
resources. Through the nodes, CDKTN is incorporating provincial and community level
knowledge and responsiveness to provincially articulated needs. The Nova Scotia Centre on
Aging is an example of a local partner. National and International partners include the Ontario
Research Coalition, Niagara Knowledge Network, Alberta Mental Health Research Partnership
Program, Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange and Alzheimer Society of Canada to name a few.
1.3. Website and Key Communication Media
The CDKTN public website, www.lifeandminds.ca, with four major sections (Features, Research,
News and Events) will add a Media section to showcase videos, presentations and other media
elements. An example of a featured media piece is the public lecture by Dr. Rockwood,
http://www.youtube.com/user/CDKTN, during the Kathryn Allen Weldon Lecture in September
2010. The Media tab will be live by May 15, 2011. The improved Features & News Section is
scheduled to also go live by May 15th and will feature a list, with links to current local, national
and organizational news about dementia. Additionally, this new version will improve the
communication of major knowledge translation activities, and significant developments/news
in the field of KT and dementia. In 2010, CDKTN initiated the addition of a Facebook page and
Twitter account. The website will continue to resemble a magazine where users can learn more
about theme-specific projects.
A major deliverable for CDKTN this year was to use Google Analytics reports to develop and
improve web traffic. Four months after its launch in 2009, the total number of visits to
www.lifeandminds.ca was 171. A year later, there was a significant increase to the number of
website visits; the total number of visits for 2010/11 was 2,289. There was an increase in direct
sources (visitors finding the site by using “Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network”
in Google) to 1,203 from only 111 visits last year. CDKTN is becoming better known and
increasingly sourced. Our international presence is growing as well. Over 2009-2010, the CDKTN
website received about 12% of visits from outside of Canada. In contrast, during the same
period in 2010-2011, the site achieved an increase in visits from international sources (228
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visits). Certain pages also receive more attention than others. The Homepage, Features and
Research were the most visited. During 2009-2010, a total of 15 pages were visited 590 times.
In 2010-2011, the number of page views increased to 58 pages viewed a total of 6,768 times.
CDKTN’s Theme 2 Knowledge Resource and Exchange team (CDRAKE) has also grown an online
presence. The Online Knowledge Exchange Platform called, “The Dementia Knowledge Broker
(DKB)”, www.dementiaknowledgebroker.ca, became a platform in the Fall of 2010 for knowledge
exchange. Platform activities inform knowledge exchange activities. DKB is a non-propriety
platform that enables exchange across the dementia sector including the delivery of KE Events,
Q&A Forum, Resource Exchange, Blog, Document Collaboration and more. This platform was
developed to complement the national network website, www.lifeandminds.ca, and the
Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange Resource Centre, with an emphasis on dialogue and exchange.
Since its launch on January 14th, 2011, the DKB has been accessed 5,066 times by 2,776 unique
visitors and has an average of 57 visits daily from around the world.
CDKTN network communication efforts evolved over the last year to include short videos on
www.lifeandminds.ca showcasing KT research and activities. These short videos, presentations
and other media items inform visitors, gather feedback and direct future KT & E efforts.
In terms of collateral material, the CDKTN national network brochure, information sheets,
posters and membership forms have continued to develop based on recommendations from
members and feedback during conferences. These items have clarified the role of CDKTN, and
raised the visibility of integrated network themes, clarifying the specific areas of interest for
members, researchers, people with dementia and care partners. Additionally, the Knowledge
Exchange theme has grown to include branding, a newsletter (CDRAKE Pulse), online event
notices and registration links. Examples of the print collateral and communication efforts are
referenced in Appendix 1d.
Memberships are continuously gathered for CDKTN members’ intranet at
http://intranet.cdktn.ca. This web-based interface is available to all network members to
facilitate communication, sharing and collaboration. CDKTN members are assigned login
information and are required to complete an online profile. A welcome letter reminds new
members of the benefits of membership that will connect them to various resources and a
continually evolving hub of news, provide event announcements and messages from the team
at CDKTN, and enable them to collaborate with other researchers, educators, policy makers and
care partners in dementia care. Network membership growth saw a surge at the ADI
conference in Toronto this year. In 2010-2011, membership grew by 108% for a total of 441
CDKTN network members. A full list of CDKTN Network members is listed in Appendix 1e.
CDKTN presence at major national and international conferences is proving the key to growing
the network and identifying opportunities for increasing the interactions and sharing of KT.
These include opportunities for leadership, such as being approached by several organizations
in other countries, such as Australia and the United States, who intend to use CDKTN as a
model for their own KT networks.
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SECTION 2: TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Throughout 2010-11, CDKTN built capacity by educating the research community and
knowledge user community through 16 training events and webinars, developing 4 curriculum
modules, presenting to the public, 13 visiting researchers and 11 students. The provincial nodes
promoted CDKTN thematic activity to researchers and knowledge users at the community level.
In the process, CDKTN identified gaps in training and education activities, modifying efforts to
better reflect provincial and regional perspectives.
2.1. Building Capacity in the AD&D Research Community
An effort to directly enhance KT among researchers was undertaken by Theme 1 last
September. L. Beattie, J. Illes and N. Chahal organized a presentation for researchers at the 4th
National CCSMH Conference: Connecting Research & Education to Care in Seniors Mental
Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their presentation aimed to address perceived incentives and
barriers to dementia knowledge translation among Canadian researchers.
Additionally, Education and Training activities included KT publications:
 Illes, J., Chahal, N., Beattie, B.L. A landscape for training in dementia knowledge translation
(DKT). Journal of Gerontological Education. In press.
 Chahal, N., Illes, J. Dementia knowledge translation: A directed search for online resources,
Interactive Journal of Medical Research. Available at:
http://knol.google.com/k/anonymous/dementia-knowledge-translation/lf3huik86r1t/3#.
 Press: Rolbillard, J. and Illes, J., Op Ed: Aging brains present a growing set of challenges
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Aging+brains+present+growing+challenges/427710
6/story.html
A complete list of training and education efforts provided to the AD&D Research Community
can be found in Appendix 2a.
2.2. Building Capacity in the Knowledge User Community
CDKTN continues to focus on building capacity in the knowledge user community through 38
presentations, workshops and webinars, 6 conference exhibitions, 2 sponsored events and
leadership in 4 AD&D efforts. Looking ahead to 2011, CDKTN has 2 planned presentations at
ICAD in Paris. Curriculum development is also underway for KT in dementia grant writing, crosscultural issues in dementia research, creating and managing multidisciplinary team research
and KT in dementia and the media.
On May 5, 2010, Dr. Keefe conducted a public lecture highlighting the need to recognize the
importance of family/friend caregivers including those providing care to persons with
Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias; Dr. Rockwood presented, “Why do People with
Alzheimer’s Disease have Good and Bad Days” to approximately 45 care providers at
Northwood in November 15, 2010; and, Dr. LeClair presented a workshop at the Alzheimer’s
Disease International Conference in Toronto, Ontario, March 2011, “Pay it Forward: Your role in
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Translating Knowledge to Practice; Paper: Building Capacity for Better Care: Behavioural
Support Systems Across Canada).”
Speaking and conducting workshops is a rewarding and effective method for informing
knowledge users. As Theme 3 lead, Dr. Rockwood presented to front-line care providers at 6
nursing homes in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on why people with
dementia have “good days and bad days” and exchanging information about how symptom
management techniques can translate into more good days. A workshop was provided during
KT10 event in June 2010 titled, “Breaking Integrated KT Barriers though Knowledge Exchange.”
A complete list of network, theme and node education and training efforts provided to the
knowledge user community is listed in Appendix 2b.
Theme 3 has undertaken to find out from front-line care providers (mainly workers in long term
care) what knowledge they need, as well as how and in what manner they can obtain this
knowledge in their real day-to-day work life. The starting point for this dialogue was Think Tank
2010 conducted in June 2010. Hosted by CDKTN and Geriatric Medicine Research at Dalhousie
University, the event was attended by 68 participants representing 37 different groups, and
covered a wide spectrum in dementia care education including physicians, nurses, allied health
professionals, administrators, volunteers, industry representatives, policy makers and
researchers. Participants included CDHA, Cumberland Health Authority, Dalhousie Law School,
NS Department of Health, Northwood Care Inc., NS Home Care Association, CDHA Veterans’
Services, to name a few. Guest speaker June Andrews, Director of Dementia Services
Development Centre, joined the Think Tank from Stirling, U.K. Efforts from this Think Tank
received continued attention at a third Think Tank held on December 15, 2010. This working
session focused on various KT tools identified in the earlier event and conversation surrounded
their implementation and operation. Next steps include applying for grants and funding
opportunities for Spring 2011.
A secondary outcome of the Think Tank deliberations were the partnership with DSDC to
investigate the potential income from certain KT activities for non-health related industries that
would serve as a means to generate revenue to sustain the network viable project. A
Memorandum of Understanding is currently being drafted that will provide the scope for using
DSDC material for workshops and training courses in dementia, for workers in industries such as
financial institutions, public transport, food services, etc.
Theme 3 will continue to build capacity in the caregiver community through several research
projects including:
 Good Days/Bad Days which investigates influences to patient symptom changes to better
inform care partners. To date 32 clinical interviews have been conducted, including 30
follow up interviews with caregivers. Data is currently being transcribed and analyzed.
 Driving and Dementia aimed at improving resources for caregivers who inform and advise
patients about driving with dementia. The effects of public service announcements are
being reviewed for the impact on attitudes towards driving and dementia in Nova Scotia.
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www.notifbutwhen.ca was launched in 2010 and boasts a membership of 100 new and 80
return visitors each month, who access the site’s repository of information, tools and other
resources. The next step for CDKTN is to widen its geographic reach to incorporate key links
for other jurisdictions.
Knowledge Synthesis which investigates the perspectives care workers have of their jobs.
The qualitative research has resulted in an analysis of publications and distribution among
knowledge users for feedback on content and best method of dissemination.
Development of presentations and workshops for front-line professional caregivers to
better understand their needs.
A description of projects aimed at building caregiver awareness and capacity are summarized
in Appendix 2c.
2.3. Postdoctoral Training and Mentoring Activities
CDKTN recognizes and supports postdoctoral training as well as mentoring of students,
researchers and care partners. During the last year, 11 visiting scholars were supported by
CDKTN. Efforts continue this year with anticipated visiting researchers expected to include R.
Sanchez and T. Juarez from the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Summer/Fall 2011, K.R.
Peters, Trent University, June – September, 2011; E. Peters, Erasmus Medical Center
Rotterdam, October 19, 2011; M. Arcand, Sherbrooke University, September 2011.
2.4. Research Projects and Activities Addressing Ethnic, Gender and Sex
CDKTN’s dementia research will now include two First Nations community’s initiatives:
- Illes, J. (PI) Elana Brief and B.L. Beattie (Co-Investigators), Canadian Institutes of Health
Research, Aboriginal Wellness in Alzheimer Disease: Intersections of Science and Tradition,
1 April 2011 – 31 March 2014.
- Illes, J. (PI) Elana Brief and B.L. Beattie (Co-Investigators), Vancouver Foundation, First
Nation Approaches to Alzheimer Disease Prediction, Diagnosis and Care: Weaving Together
Science and Tradition, 1 April 2011 – 31 March 2014.
CDKTN is registered to attend the 1st Symposium on Women’s Brain Health in April 2011.
Titled, “At the Crossroads of Sex, Aging and Cognition, the symposium features speakers
addressing current issues relating to women’s brain health research and where focus needs to
be applied.
2.5. Research Projects and Activities Addressing Ethics
A partnership project being conducted through CDKTN’s Theme 2 Knowledge Resource and
Exchange (CDRAKE) and Dementia Care Alliance (PiDC), funded by a Community University
Research Alliances (CURA) grant, is using affirmative inquiry approach in diverse long-term care
settings.
Additionally, an interview was conducted and videoed for www.lifeandminds.ca with visiting
researcher Dr. Laura Dunn, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Dunn spoke about her
work surrounding family involvement in clinical trials involving dementia drug development.
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SECTION 3: KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION OUTCOMES
3.1. Applications of research knowledge to KT&E
CDKTN has applied research knowledge through 5 specific KT&E publications, 25 national
projects and 13 topic-specific webinars that reached over 1800 people through the CDRAKE
Knowledge Dissemination Series. Efforts such as innovative music tools were used to educate
the general public and increase their understanding of the signs and symptoms of dementia.
Also, videos in French and English, along with surveys gathering feedback from subject matter
experts, such as neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists and sociologists, are planned for release in
the spring of 2011. This study provides a format to capture viewer reactions to the informative
tool and content. CDKTN will also examine general public comments as to what the readings
mean to persons with dementia, caregivers and family members. A list of KT&E projects
emerging from applied research knowledge can be referenced under Appendix 3a. Addressing
the gap between research and practice, diagnosis, treatment and care, means many of these
projects will continue into 2011. Examples of applications of research knowledge to KT&E
include:
 collaborating with Dr. Tiffany Chow’s, When Dementia is in the House to assess the needs of
dementia affected children in the home, and to create multimedia educational materials to
address these needs,
 "TEER for CARE: Technology-Enabled Education for Recognizing Caregivers' Aspirations,
Realities & Expectations” to improve educational access for care assessors on the needs of
caregivers,
 Conducing workshops such as “KT10: Improving Health Systems with Knowledge
Translation” – Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 2010 (Workshop: Breaking Integrated KT Barriers
through Knowledge Exchange),
 Collaborating with researchers such as Dr. Cary Brown to host a webinar entitled “Sleep and
Dementia: Helping People with Dementia Get a Good Night's Sleep: What research tells us
about non-drug based strategies.”
3.2. KT activities to link Researchers, trainees and knowledge users
In 2009, CDKTN began doing short videos of network members and interviews with visiting
researchers, to provide opportunities for them to describe their research in their own words to
front-line care providers and persons with dementia. To date, over 12 videos have been
produced with partners like the Canadian Red Cross. The latest videos feature Dr. L. Middleton
(Sunnybrook) on physical fitness and dementia, and Dr. L. Dunn, University of California. In
2010, CDKTN’s Theme 2 team created the Dementia Knowledge Broker (DKB), an electronic
repository of information, resources and innovations which serves as a platform for knowledge
exchange. Provincial nodes have created a CDKTN Nodes Development plan outlining a
formalized approach for development of the network in a way that reflects provincially
identified needs, and takes advantage of existing provincial communication networks. To date,
8
new contacts have been initiated with stakeholders in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince
Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.
3.3. Evaluation Activities
Led by Dr. Paul Stolee, the evaluation team has completed an environmental scan of CDKTN to
assess current strengths, gaps, best practices, and opportunities for dementia-related
knowledge translation and exchange (KTE) in Canada. Evaluation plans for 2011 can be
referenced in Appendix 3b.
Key evaluation activities for 2010-11 included interviews with KTE academics, researchers and
trainees to enhance our understanding of current and best practices, existing gaps and
strategies for enhancing opportunities for KTE. Interviews were also conducted with policy
makers to identify key sources of information. Feedback from knowledge users was used to
develop an inventory of Canadian networks and an inventory of KTE training programs based on
feedback that information was scattered and opportunities easily missed. CDKTN has
conducted a review of the literature of online KTE strategies to elucidate critical considerations
for website design and important guidelines for the written content in order to maximize the
usability and relevance of the CDKTN website. Lastly, a review of Alzheimer’s Disease and
related dementias (ADRD) research priority setting events/activities was used to identify
research priorities from the perspectives of researchers, research funding bodies, policy
makers, clinicians, persons with early stage dementia and family caregivers.
Key findings from the environmental scan revealed strategic direction for CDKTN which
included opportunities for CDKTN to play a pivotal role in leadership of KTE, dementia research
and dementia care. Importantly, the scan highlighted knowledge gaps such as the lack of KTE
theoretical models, KTE best practices/ strategies, resources and evaluation studies. The
environmental scan showed an increase in the evidence-based culture in policy development
but a limitation where policy-makers continue to experience challenges in accessing new
knowledge and research. An evaluation of Person and Care Partner Centered Knowledge
Translation indicated that persons with dementia and their care partners have information
needs encompassing all research theme areas (biomedical, clinical, health services and
population health). However, this information is not readily available or understood. The most
significant research priorities relate to drug development to delay disease progression;
strategies to increase awareness and education for family physicians (related to screening and
early diagnosis); strategies to reduce stigma associated with dementia, the evaluation of
interventions offered in long-term care homes (outcome studies, service delivery); and,
screening the children of those diagnosed with ADRD.
Based on these and other findings, a number of network-wide and theme-specific
recommendations, goals and strategies have been developed. This body of work will be the
foundation for the next CDKTN strategic plan review scheduled for June 2011 and will focus on
the next two years and future (beyond current funding). CDKTN’s recommendations for
direction are available in Appendix 3c.
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SECTION 4: RESEARCH
4.1. Research and Projects Supported by Grant Funds
In 2010, for the third consecutive year, CDKTN launched two Requests for Applications for KT
(Open and Closed Competitions) in association with existing research in dementia projects to
build capacity in the knowledge user community to better use research.
Since its inception, a total of 24 researcher projects have been awarded funding by CDKTN to
incorporate or specifically create new tools to spread dementia care knowledge to a wide and
diverse audience. As a deliverable for funding, each successful applicant makes available their
KT to CDKTN for showcasing.
2010-11 Open Request for Applications
CDKTN partnered for the third year with the Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC) to hold an open
competition for researchers with a specific focus on integrating KT in their research program.
The competition closed in November 2010, and review results are under embargo and will be
released by April 20, 2011.
2010-11 Closed Request for Applications for CDKTN members
(excluding CDKTN co-applicants):
In December 2010, CDKTN, in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada issued a closed
RFA for the Education and Training Knowledge Translation Award Program by special invitation
to members of the Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network. The Nova Scotia Health
Research Foundation was engaged to conduct the peer review process and to recommend
successful applications. Based on these recommendations, the Management Committee
approved funding for seven projects. Approved for funding are:
The PATH-LTC (Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization in Long Term Care)
Dr. Laurie Mallery, QEII Health Science Centre
PATH is a standardized approach that considers how frailty and dementia impact long-term
care protocols and medical decision-making. The project aims to develop PATH for long-term
care, which remodels the steps of PATH so that they can be adopted by the nursing home staff.
The Project will design, develop and deliver training modules that inform care practices and
proposed medical interventions.
Brushing up on Mouth Care: Caregiver centered knowledge translation to address the complex
care needs of persons with dementia
Dr. Mary MacNally, Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry
The purpose of the project is to develop and disseminate relevant and user-friendly accessible
resources for educating a range of care-providers about oral health care for persons with dementia.
The project builds on an earlier NSHRF funded grant about oral care in continuing care settings.
10
Rural and Remote Dementia Care: Implementation and Evaluation of a Knowledge Exchange
initiative
Dr. Debra Morgan, CCHSA, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
To use an annual knowledge exchange event to formally evaluate the knowledge exchange process
and the translation of knowledge into practice in the area of rural dementia care. A formal process
evaluation of the event will shed light on how to further engage decision makers, stakeholders, and
researchers. The project will contribute to the literature on what creates and stimulate action in
rural dementia knowledge exchange.
Exploring Theatre-Based Knowledge Exchange Strategies
Dr. Iris Gutmanis, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Parkwood Hospital
The project uses theatre as a knowledge exchange strategy to improve the management of
responsive behaviours in individuals with Alzheimer Disease and related dementia. This project has
two activities: 1) Creating a videotape of a previously developed play, All behaivour has meaning,
and 2) Conducting a workshop to further develop a play, Advocating for Hilda, and produce a
facilitator guide for the play.
Exploring how knowledge users become aware of the on-line resource Understanding Pain in
Persons with Dementia and their evaluation on this resource
Dr. Cary Brown, University of Alberta, Department of Occupational Therapy
To increase the use of the website developed in partnership with CDKTN in 2009 “Understanding
Pain in Persons with Dementia”. The site has been accessed by 2, 000 people to learn about how to
recognize and help manage pain in someone with dementia. The project aims to examine data
gathered from the online resource and to conduct an on-line survey with the intent of increasing
healthcare providers’ family referrals to the website.
When Dementia is in the House
Dr. Tiffany Chow, Rotman Institute, Baycrest,
To create a website and two written brochures which will address the needs of adolescent children
and parents of small children who live with individuals who have frontotemporal dementia.
Evaluation of Knowledge Translation in Dementia Care Education
Trish Bilski, Capital District Health Authority & Dr. Sylvie Belleville, Université de Montréal
This project is to evaluate the Level One phase of a Dementia Education Program in the context of
care for veterans from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. Does a specially designed dementia
education program meet the needs of the veterans and recognize the current knowledge level and
expertise of the care giving staff at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building, a 175 bed long term care
facility.
4.2. 2009-10 Research Projects Progress Reports
In December 2009, CDKTN, in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada issued a closed
RFA for the Education and Training Knowledge Translation Award Program and nine projects
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were funded in April 2010. These project reports are due March 31, 2011. Two reports have
been received and the balance is currently being collected. Reports are expected from:
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Dr. Sherry Dupuis, University of Waterloo: Murray Alzheimer Research and Education
Project Supporting Persons with dementia Alongside Their Care Partners: Exploring SelfManagement Support for Dementia Care”
Dr. Cary Brown, University of Alberta: Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine “Sleep: A Critical
But Overlooked Aspect of Dementia Management”
Dr. Paige Moorhouse, Dalhousie University and Capital District Health Authority: Division of
Geriatric Medicine “Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization (PATH):Developing knowledge
translation tools for caregivers of frail adults with dementia”
Dr. Carrie McAiney, McMaster University: St. Joseph’s Healthcare “Canadian Behavioural
Support System Project: Strengthening Integrated Care for Persons with Complex and
Challenging Behaviours”
Dr. Bryna Shatenstein and Dr. Marie-Jeanne Kergoat, Institute universitaire de gériatrie de
Montréal: Centre de recherche “Demystifying guidance on dient and AD: an educational
initiative for community-dwelling older adults with AD and their caregivers”
Dr. Dorothy Forbes, University of Western Ontario: Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing
“Policy, Program and Practice Dialogue Summit: Rural Home Care’s Use of Research
Evidence to Inform Dementia Care”
Dr. Iris Gutmanis, St. Joseph’s Health Care London Parkwood Hospital, Specialized Geriatric
Services “Using Theatre to Explore Long-Term Care Home Health Care Provider Needs”
Dr. Maggie Gibson, St. Joseph’s Health Care London Parkwood Hospital “Development,
Evaluation and Dissemination of a Bilingual Workshop for Dementia Care Providers Entitled
‘Frailty, Dementia, and Disasters: What Health Care Providers Need to Know”
Dr. Melissa Andrew, Dalhousie University and Capital District Health Authority: Division of
Geriatric Medicine “Implementation and Evaluation of a Comprehensive Geriatric
Assessment Designed for Use in long Term Care Settings (LTC-CGA)”
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SECTION 5: PARTNERSHIPS
CDKTN has not experienced any barriers to partnering. There are always process matters with
respect to details of memorandums of understanding, contractual arrangements and working
within an institutional enterprise resource management system that is not geared to a national
operating unit. CDKTN has the advantage of building on many successful partnerships in place
at the regional and national level brought to the network by the co-applicants and the network
members. Examples of CDKTN partnership activities in 2010-2011 include:
 Provincial node partnership activities are realizing contacts in rural Newfoundland and
Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.
For example, the Atlantic Node team is working with the Division of Seniors and Aging,
Department of Health and Community Services, Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador as the key contacts.
 Partnerships with Theme 1 team dementia research and First Nations community’s initiative
has yielded two new grants toward that effort.
 Continued development of provincial channels for input and dissemination of KT strategies,
outside of online mechanisms for exchange (i.e. in-person exchange, teleconference, etc.).
 Atlantic Node led by Dr. Janice Keefe, has connected and collaborated with the Dementia
Services Development Centre (DSDC), University of Stirling, providing a new collaborator for
Themes 1 and 3. Theme 3 is partnering with DSDC to translate the DSDC training material
for non-health service providers such as bank tellers, financial planners, police, accountants.
Launch of these new training modules is scheduled for fall 2011 and these activities have
the potential to provide a source of revenue for CDKTN.
 Establishment of a Networking the Networks Initiative Working Group; a collaborative
partnership dedicated to multi-phase KTE initiatives (an outcome from the Accelerating KTE
in Mental Health and Dementia Think Tank). Representatives include: Public Health Agency
of Canada, National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly, Mental Health Commission of
Canada (Seniors Advisory Group), Canadian Coalition for Senior’s Mental Health, Alzheimer
Society of Canada, Alzheimer Society of Ontario, the Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange, and
the Seniors Health Research Transfer Network.
 Leveraged the Networking the Networks Initiative Working Group to design and deliver a
workshop entitled “Enabling Collaborative Advantage: Using Knowledge Networks to Inform
and Transform the Business of Knowledge Transfer and Exchange” in Halifax (September,
2010). This collaborative partnership includes Public Health Agency of Canada, National
Initiative for the Care of the Elderly, Mental Health Commission of Canada (Seniors Advisory
Group), Canadian Coalition for Senior’s Mental Health, Alzheimer Society of Canada,
Alzheimer Society of Ontario, the Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange, and the Seniors Health
Research Transfer Network.
 Continued engagement of CDKTN Board and CDRAKE Steering Committees, which include a
national representation of stakeholders interested in knowledge exchange and dementia.
Activities have and will continue to enable cross sector sharing of innovation and expertise
13
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
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for mutual learning opportunities in addition to advancing and informing the activities
associated with CDRAKE.
Continued identification of key leaders in each province and territory to improve reach
across the country, to identify gaps in access to provincial leaders and to develop
subsequent engagement strategies. An important part of KT is representing the issues of
Alzheimer’s Disease and the urgency of finding a cure, to the appropriate government
authorities that control research budgets. With support from CDKTN, Dr. Chertkow took the
case for the urgency of increasing Alzheimer’s research budgets in Canada. This included
meetings with the Premier of B.C. The Right Honorable Gordon Campbell and the federal
Minister of Health Ms. Leona Agugluk. Other co-applicants met with provincial health
department ministers and their officials. Dr. Rockwood met with Chair, Canadian Deputy
Ministers of Health Council to discuss the strategy for Canada for Alzheimer’s Disease and
other dementias. Partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC) to support their
knowledge exchange endeavors associated with provincial/territorial chapters (series of
knowledge dissemination and exchange events to raise knowledge and skill level of ASC
associated staff) and to leverage existing provincial networks and infrastructures to improve
access and reach to research and practice-based organizations.
Continued partnership with AKE through opportunities for mutual benefit such as
supporting innovations, co-hosting knowledge exchange events, partnering on grant
applications and integration between knowledge exchange platforms (AKE Resource Centre
www.akeresourcecentre.org and www.dementiaknowledgebroker.ca).
Ongoing partnership with the Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange, the Alzheimer Society of
Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to host 60 leaders from long term
and community care, primary care, as well as mental health and addictions to come
together to discuss Behavioural Support Systems in Ontario (planning initiated October,
2009; event scheduled for June, 2010).
Ongoing partnership with over 30 national, provincial and territorial stakeholders on the
National Behavioural Support System Project.
Partnered with the Alzheimer Society of Canada on a series of Knowledge Dissemination
sessions to provide chapter staff with better access to information regarding dementia care.
14
SECTION 6: COMMENTS
CDKTN is a national network operating within the administrative framework of a university
which means that the procedures and policies are geared to a research lab environment not the
activities of networking such as conferences, workshop sponsorships, education and training
grants, production of KT tools. This has process and procedural disadvantages, but at the same
time, the infrastructure associated with large institutions is available to CDKTN co-applicants
that a network the size of CDKTN could not afford. It does mean that the financial management
among the various sites takes considerable time. CDKTN has endeavoured to establish its
budgeting and forecasting routines so that on a monthly basis, there are variance reports of
budget versus actual expenditures and that generally accepted accounting principles are in
place for CDKTN.
15
APPENDIX 1a
GOVERNANCE/ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Membership of CDKTN National Advisory Board
Member
Role & Organization
Alain Gendron
Medical Advisor, Neuroscience and Pain, AstraZeneca Canada
Angeles Garcia
President, Consortium of Canadian Centres for Clinical Cognitive
Research
Bernard Prigent
Vice-President and Medical Director, Pfizer Canada
Sandra Black
Research Director, Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Health
Sciences Centre
Howard Feldman
Vice-President and Scientific Director of the Fonds de la Recherche
en Santé du Quebéc
Howard Chodos
Director of the Mental Health Strategy, Mental Health Commission of
Canada
Jim Mann
Adovate and Board Member, ASC
John Morris
Director, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Memory and Aging
Project at Washington University School of Medicine
Judith Shamian
President, Victorian Order of Nurses (VON)
June Andrews
Director, Dementia Services Development Centre, Stirling, UK
Linda Mealing
CIHR ex officio member
Marie France
Chair, Seniors Advisory Committee, Mental Health Commission of
Tourigny-Rivard
Canada
Paul Tuttle
President, Extendicare Inc.
Membership of CDKTN Management Committee
Member
Role & Organization
Kenneth Rockwood Chair and Patient & Caregiver Theme Lead, Dalhousie University
Kenneth Le Clair
CDRAKE Theme Lead, Queen’s University
Judy Illes/Lynn
Education and Training Theme Lead, UBC
Beattie
Janice Keefe
Provincial Node, Mount St. Vincent University
Howard Chertkow
Provincial Node, McGill University
Carole Estabrooks
CRC in Knowledge Translation, University of Alberta
Dorothy Forbes
Professor of Nursing, UWO (leading national dementia care study)
Debbie Benczkowski Acting CEO, Alzheimer Society of Canada
Paul Stolee
Evaluation Advisory Group Lead, University of Waterloo
Jacqueline Tetroe
Ex-officio member, CIHR nominee
Membership of Canadian Dementia Resource and Knowledge Exchange (CDRAKE)
Steering Committee
Member
Ken LeClair
Megan Harris
Sarah Clark
Elizabeth Lusk
Dorothy Forbes
Kim Wilson
Maggie Gibson
Monica Bull
Sherry Dupuis
Janice Keefe
Lili Liu
Carrie McAiney
Lynn Beattie
David Harvey
Julia Baxter
Mary Schulz
Paul Stolee
Lynn McCleary
Judy Iles
Tracey Comeau
Jack Henderson
Role and Organization
CDRAKE Theme Lead
CDRAKE KT Planning and Development Lead
CDRAKE KT Resource Mobilization Lead
CDRAKE KT Conceptual Design Lead
Management Committee CDKTN;
Professor of Nursing University of Western (Dementia care, home
care nursing)
Executive Director Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health
Psychologist, Veterans Care Program, St. Joseph’s Health Care,
London
Provincial Mental Health Consultant for Seniors
Director of Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program
Provincial Node Lead;
Director of Nova Scotia Centre of Aging
Professor & Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy,
University of Alberta
Health Service Research & Evaluation at Dept. of Psychiatry,
McMaster University;
Part of Geriatric Psychiatry Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital
Education and Training Theme Lead
Chief Member Services Officer, Alzheimer Society of Ontario; Colead, Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange
Program Coordinator, Geriatric Psychiatry Outreach
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Evaluation Advisory Group, University of Waterloo
Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Brock University
Education and Training Theme Lead
Central Health Newfoundland
Alzheimer Society Kingston, cares for person with dementia
APPENDIX 1b
CDKTN Network Governance Structure:
CIHR
Institute of
Aging
National
Advisory
Board
CDRAKE
Steering
Committee
Management
Committee
CDKTN
Project
Office
Dalhousie
University
Administration
Education and
Training
Research Theme
Canadian Dementia
Resource and
Knowledge Exchange
Research Theme
Patient and
Caregiver
Research Theme
Education and
Training Grants
Provincial Nodes
Network
Research
Projects
Network
Research
Projects
Network
Research
Projects
Management of
awards and
advancing of
funds
Partnerships and
relationships
APPENDIX 1c
Network Integrated Efforts and Focuses
Bringing together researchers, students and practitioners from 18 centres across Canada,
CDKTN has helped and will continue to assist researchers translate their work into practice
passing it on to those who need it most – patients, families and care partners. Following the
CDKTN mandate of “Improving the quality of life for those with dementia and their care
partners through the exchange and translation of knowledge and research”, CDKTN is organized
around three core themes.
Theme 1 is concerned with Education and Training. This Theme focuses on developing training
programs that bridge gaps between knowledge and training. Additionally, this theme aims to
increase capacity by teaching trainees (and their supervisors, labs, research units) on how to do
KT &E. Moving innovative research to real world practice includes enabling access to
developmental conferences and workshops; offering funding opportunities for training and
education programs; facilitating and hosts programs and seminars to develop students,
researchers and practitioners in disciplines relevant to dementia; and, investigating potential
funding for research and care programs.
Theme 2 is concerned with sharing dementia resources and knowledge (KT&E) by facilitating
access to knowledge through a free, virtual, national network. The virtual information ‘bank’
encourages researchers to share innovations; build and maintain partnerships; and, foster
direct links between knowledge users and producers.
Theme 3 is aimed at KT for patients and care partners / family members and the general public.
The Patient and Caregiver Theme focuses on providing persons with dementia and their care
partners with knowledge and empowering them to use it. This theme monitors worldwide news
concerning Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia and frailty; publishes academic articles in peerreview scientific publications; nominates outstanding community members for achievement
awards and invents new patient and caregiver centered models/approaches for KT&E. Theme
three is also concerned with identifying research priorities based on the needs of those living
with dementia, and identifying best practices in knowledge translation. In this way, gaps in
research and practice are targeted, prioritized and resolved. Patient, family member and care
partner feedback informs further research.
APPENDIX 1d
Website Traffic to www.lifeandminds.ca
Figure 1a. Traffic sources at www.lifeandminds.ca for year ending March 2010
Figure 1b. Traffic sources at www.lifeandminds.ca for year ending March 2011.
Figure 1c indicates visitation to www.lifeandminds.ca. CDKTN received strong support from
Canada with 2,061 visits, which is 13 times of last year. Meanwhile, there is a significant
increase on the visits from international sources (228 visits).
CDKTN brochure design and content has evolved from earlier collateral (outer and inner view)
CDKTN poster demonstrating connection to multiple knowledge user groups.
CDRAKE Newsletter “Pulse” & Online Events Notice
APPENDIX 1e
Membership of Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network
Member
Organization
Adele Griffith
Nova Scotia Department of Justice
Aimee Dawson
Dalhousie University
Al Rasymas
Pfizer Canada
Alain Gendron
AstraZeneca Canada
Alan MacPherson
Shannex Inc.
Alexandre Henri-Bhargava
Baycrest
Alica Guaymalida
Association Alzheimer de P.R.
Alison Denton
Alzheimer Society - Thunder Bay
Alison Phinney
University of British Columbia
Amanda Long
Alzheimer Society - Perth County
Amie Phinney
Abbott
Amit Dias
Goa Medical College
Ana Maria Bosio
ALMA
Andrea Heyer
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Andrea LeBlanc
McGill University
Andrea Munroe
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Angela Collett
Shannex Inc.
Angela Coughlin
Timeless Medical
Angeles Garcia
Providence Care
Ann Jarvie
St Joseph's Health Care
Ann Riggs
University of Arkansas
Ann Tassonyi
Alzheimer Society - Niagara
Anna Lucicesare
University of Bologna Italy
Anne Erly
Nova Scotia Department of Health
Anne Marsh
Cape Breton District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Annette Fougere
Nova Scotia Department of Health
Arlene Huhn
Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories
Arnold Mitnitski
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Azizul Haque
Alzheimer Society of Bangladesh
Barb McCoy
Alzheimer Society - Hamilton & Halton
Barbara Burnett
Atlantic Institute on Aging
Barbara Mulrooney
Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia
Barbara Veno
Cumberland Health Authority Nova Scotia
Barbara Watson
University of Western Ontario
Bengt Winblad
Karolinska Institutet
Bernard Prigent
Pfizer Canada
Beth Haas
Alzheimer Society - Oxford
Betsy Little
Brad Burrell
Brad Pineau
Brandie Steeves
Brenda Dykeman
Brenda Kirestead
Briana Goad
Bruce McBride
Bryna Shatenstein
Bushra Malik
Camila Schmidek
Camille Angus
Cara Dowhaniuk
Carmelina Cimaglia
Carol Riley
Carol Smillie
Carol Taylor
Carole Estabrooks
Carrie McAiney
Carrie Schell
Cary Brown
Catherine Blake
Catherine Shea
Cathie Borrie
Cathie Randell
Cathy MacNutt
Cathy Peyton
Cathy Ritsema
Catriona Franc
CD Cook
Cecilia Pong
Celine Chayer
Chantal Mudahogora
Cheryl Pearce
Chien-Tsai Lai
Chiriac Stefania
Chris Patterson
Chris Zarow
Christen Kutz
Christian Bocti
Alzheimer Society - London & Middlesex
I.S.T.S. The Simultaneous Interpretation Specialists
Timeless Medical
Region of Waterloo Social Services
Home Care Plus Ltd.
Community Mental Health
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Parkwood Hospital
Université de Montréal
St. Luke's Hospital
Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da
Universidade de São Paulo
Dalhousie University
Alzheimer Society - Kitchener - Waterloo
Royal Ottawa Hospital
Other Organizations
Northwood Ethics Association Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society - Kitchener - Waterloo
University of Alberta
McMaster University
Caregivers NovaScotia
University of Alberta
University of Western Ontario
University of Ottawa
Other Organizations
Alzheimer Society - Algoma
CDKTN Project Office
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Alzheimer Society - Huron
Halton Healthcare
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Vancouver Coastal Health
Université de Montréal
Alzheimer Society - Hamilton & Halton
Bedford Sackville Mental Health
Afexa Life Sciences Inc.
Other Organizations
Hamilton Health Sciences
USC/RLANRC
St. Luke's Hospital
Université de Sherbrooke
Christian Boudreau
Christine Caravan MD FRCP
Christine Glenny
Christine Lanz
Christine Whatmough
Christine Wright
Christopher Morse
Christopher Scott
Chun Hui Yang
Chun-Yu Chen
Claire Nowlan MD
Colleen Maxwell
Colleen Whyte
Colleen Zimmel
Connie Wark
Cristalli Diana Olga
Crystal Desjardins
Cynthia Andruske
Cynthia Giles
Dan Pyke
Danette Varner
Danielle Laurin
Darryl Rolfson
David Harvey
David Hogan
David S. Geldmacher
Davonette Williams Brown
Dean Gale
Deb Bryson
Debbie Benczkowski
Debi Hunt
Deborah O'Connor
Debra McCarthy
Debra Morgan
Denise Connelly
Denise Wood
Derek Heywood
Diana Evangelista
Diana Primavesi
Dianne Ardern
Dianne Corbett
Nova Scotia Department of Health
Eastern Health
University of Waterloo
Lakeridge Health - Rouge Valley Health System
McGill University
Alzheimer Society - Sarnia-Lambton
Northwood Nova Scotia
University of Toronto
Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center
Other Organizations
Ocean View Manor Society
University of Calgary
University of Waterloo
Alberta Health Services
CapitalCare
Centro de Did Jesi
P.S.W
University of British Columbia
CDKTN Project Office
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Department of Health
University of Laval
University of Alberta
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
University of Calgary
University of Virginia
KEMH Hospital
ADI Limited Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society - Hamilton & Halton
Alzheimer Society of Canada
University of Central Florida
University of British Columbia
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
University of Saskatchewan
University of Western Ontario
Alzheimer Society - Leeds-Grenville
Other Organizations
Alzheimer Society - York Region
Alzheimer Society - Peterborough & Area
Cumberland Health Authority Nova Scotia
South West Health Seniors Services
Dolly Dastoor
Donna Dill
Doris Grinspun
Doris Milke
Dorothy Forbes
Dorothy Knights
Douglas Drummond
Dr. Ann Aldis
Dr. W.J. Lukiw
Dundeen Ferguson
Eileen Winston
Elana Brief
Elissa Asp
Elizabeth Lusk
Elizabeth Rhynold
Elyse Ross
Eman Dawood
Enna D. Santiago
Erin MacKenzie
Erin Smiley
Eva Jones
Evelyn Carriere
Fae Jackson
Faith Malach
Faranak Amnizadeh
Faraneh Farin
Farnoosh Tayyari
Florence Simmons
Frances Morton
Francine Ducharme
Frits de Geest
Gail Elliot
Gail Eskes
Garry Mullins
Genie Pritchett
Geralyn MacLellan
Gloria Lattanzio
Graham Browne
Greta Mah
Guylaine Ferland
Gwendolyn de Geest
Other Organizations
Nova Scotia Department of Health
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
CapitalCare
University of Western Ontario
St. Michael's Hospital
Prince George Regional Hospital
Other Organizations
LSU Neuroscience Center
Alzheimer Society of Jamaica
Alzheimer's Society UK
University of British Columbia
St. Mary's University Halifax NS
Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange Ontario Health
St. Joseph's Hospital Saint John
Dalhousie University
King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences
Other Organizations
Afexa Life Sciences Inc.
Nova Scotia Department of Justice
Alzheimer Society - Thunder Bay
Alzheimer Society - Peel
Mount Royal University
Baycrest
Other Organizations
Iran Alzheimer Association International
University of British Columbia
Ivy Meadows Continuing Care Centre Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
Université de Montréal
Other Organizations
McMaster University
Dalhousie University
CDKTN Project Office
Other Organizations
CDKTN Project Office
Other Organizations
Alzheimer's Society UK
North York General Hospital
Université de Montréal
Other Organizations
Habib Chaudhury
Haruna Tanaka
Heather Currie
Heather Ebeling
Hector Gonzalo Franco Gonzalez
Helen Jenson
Helga Rohra
Hiroaki Kazui
Howard Bergman
Howard Chertkow
Howard Chodos
Howard Feldman
Ian Ross
Ilir Azizaj
Inge Loy-English
Iris Gutmanis
Ismael Aquino
Ivan Culum
Jack Diamond
Jacob Brand
Jacqueline Tetroe
James Chau
James Silvius
Jamie Comtable
Jan (Mina) Phillips
Jane Devji
Jane Dewoskin Snyder
Janet Boswell
Janet Craik
Janet Ingles
Janet McElhaney
Janet Pritchard
Janet Sears RN
Janice Canning
Janice Chittick
Janice Keefe
Janice Matautia
Janice Robinson
Jarold Cosby
JB Orange
Jeanette Prorok
Simon Fraser University
CHUBU University
Other Organizations
Calgary West Central Primary Care Network
Other Organizations
Musquodoboit Valley Home for Special Care
Other Organizations
Osaka University
McGill University
McGill University
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC
Government of Yukon
Bruyere Ottawa Memory Disorder Clinic
St Joseph's Health Care
Canadian Red Cross
University of Western Ontario
Alzheimer Society of Canada
University of British Columbia
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Ontario MD
Alberta Health Services
Alzheimer Society of PEI
Other Organizations
Delta View Life Environment Centre
Other Organizations
Mount Saint Vincent University
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
Dalhousie University
Providence Health Care
McMaster University
South Shore District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Cornwall Society
Colchester East Hants Health Authority
Mount Saint Vincent University
University of British Columbia
The Lodge at Broadmead
Brock University
University of Western Ontario
University of Waterloo
Jeanne Poirier
Jeff Small
Jillian Dahm-McConnell
Jim Mann
Jing Shi
Jing Shi
Jinzhou Tian
Jo James
Joan Boniface
Joan Royle
Joanne Dusterbeck
Joanne Dykeman
John Fisk
John Morris
John O'Keefe
John Puxty
John Rowe
Jordi McLeod
Jorge O. Avilés
Joy MacDonald
Joyanne DeFour-Babb
Judah Goldstein
Judith Shamian
Judy Illes
Judy Southon
June Andrews
Karen Parrage
Karen Pitawanakwat
Karen Taipale
Katherine Corry
Katherine McGilton
Katherine Poulin
Kathryn Garden
Kathy Darte
Kathy Nelham
Kathy Thomson
Kathy Ward
Kelly Brunwin Harding
Ken Hahlweg
Ken Le Clair
Alzheimer Society - Cornwall & District
University of British Columbia
Alzheimer Society - Kingston
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Dongzhimen Hospital BUCM
Dongzhimen Hospital BUCM
Dementia Royal Free Hospital
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
The Good Samaritan Society
Revera Inc.
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Washington
University
Northwood Nova Scotia
Providence Care
Timeless Medical
University of Waterloo
Alzheimer Society - Calgary
VON (Victorian Order of Nurses)
Alzheimer Society of Trinidad & Tobago
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
VON (Victorian Order of Nurses)
University of British Columbia
Nikken
Dementia Services Development Centre Stirling UK
Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange Ontario Health
Wikwemikong Health Centre
Alzheimer Society - Belleville - Hastings - Quinte
Other Organizations
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
Hospice Northwest Palliative Care
CDKTN Project Office
Veterans Affairs Canada
Highview Residences
South Shore District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society - Thunder Bay
University of Manitoba
Providence Care
Kenneth Rockwood
Keri-Leigh Cassidy
Kim Wilson
Krista White
Kristen Chelak
Laraine Tapak
Larry Chambers
Laura Balletta
Laura Devlin
Laura Hamilton
Laura Middleton
Laureen Scott
Laurie Turza
Leigh Collis
Leisa Bellmore
Li Yu Tang
Lili Liu
Liliane leduc
Lillaim J. Valcarcel
Linda Jackson
Linda Lee
Linda Mealing
Lindsay Wallace
Line Vincelli
Lisa Derouchie
Loretta Hillier
Lorette Achenbach
Louise Noble
Lucille Abat
Lydia Gimenez Llort
Lyn F. Champigny
Lynda A. Hogg
Lynn Beattie
Lynn McCleary
Lynn McDonald
Lynn Moffatt
Maggie Gibson
Marc Budge
Marg Eisner
Margaret Crossley
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Baycrest
Mount Saint Vincent University
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
(CADTH)
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
Bruyère Continuing Care
Alzheimer Society - Grey-Bruce
Riverside Lions Seniors Residences
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society - Dufferin County
Alberta Health Services
Artists' Health Centre Toronto Western Hospital
Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Association
University of Alberta
Alzheimer Society - Cornwall & District
Other Organizations
Baycrest
Other Organizations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Other Organizations
Other Organizations
Health Consultant
Nakile Home for Special Care Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society - Lanark County
Barts and the London NHS Trust
University of Barcelona
Highview Residences
Alzheimer Scotland
Vancouver Coastal Health
Brock University
University of Toronto
Alzheimer Society
St Joseph's Health Care
Australia National University Medical School
Dementia Consultant
University of Saskatchewan
Maria Giraldo
Marian Casey
Marian Stauch-Kennedy
Marie Daphnie Bastamante
Marie Fisher
Marie France Tourigny-Rivard
Marie-Jeanne Kergoat
Mariella Guerra Arteaga
Marilyn Barrett
Marilyn Bater
Mark Oremus
Marla Davidson
Martha Donnelly
Martin Moran
Marva Whyte
Mary Burnett
Mary Gauld
Mary Gorman
Mary Leslie
Mary Lou Klinger
Mary McNally
Mary Schulz
Mary Tierney
Medhat Bassiony
Meg Federico
Megan Harris
Melissa Andrew
Melissa Brossoit-Richard
Melissa Caibaiosai
Michael Borrie
Michael Splaine
Michele Bliss
Michele Keeling
Michelle Albert
Michelle Peel
Ming-Kai Ho
Mireille Lecours
Mishiho Sukegawa
Mollie Cole
Mona Beck
Other Organizations
Shannex Inc.
V.A.C
Seniors Resources in North Toronto
Kawartha Regional Memory Clinic
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Université de Montréal
Instituto de la Memoria
Prince Edward Island Department of Health
Vancouver Island Health Authority
McMaster University
University of Saskatchewan
University of British Columbia
Alberta Health Services
Other Organizations
Alzheimer Society - Hamilton & Halton
McMaster University
Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority Nova
Scotia
Mount Saint Vincent University
Nova Scotia Department of Health
Dalhousie University
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Other Organizations
Dementia writer/author
Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange Ontario Health
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Université de Sherbrooke
Alzheimer Society - Sudbury-Manitoulin
St Joseph's Health Care
Other Organizations
Alzheimer Society - Niagara
Northside Community Guest Home
Providence Care
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Montreal Neurological Institute
Department of Health
Johmon-no-Sato Nursing Home
Alberta Health Services
Jewish Eldercare Centre
Morris Freedman
Moyra Mortby
Nader Fallah
Naiyar Khayyam
Nancy Dudgeon
Neil Bisson
Neil Drummond
Nevine Misih
Nicolaus Paul L.G. Verhoeff
Nicole Bradley
Nicole Caza
Nina Labun
Norma Inniss
Norma MacDonald
Norma Musgrave
Normand Carpentier
Ogboi Sonny Johnbull
Olga Theou
Pablo Diaz Vuello
Paige Moorhouse
Pam MacIntyre
Parminder Raina
Paul Bourque PhD
Paul Fieldhouse
Paul Stolee
Paul Tuttle
Pearl Soltys
Peter Bailey
Rene Brideau
Renne Alegria
Rhonda Grandy
Richard Camicioli
Richard Gladstone
Richard Welland
Robin Smart
Rolande D'Amour
Ron Keren
Ronata Brophy
Rosemary Fiss
Roshar Guna
University of Toronto
University of Zurich
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Saskatoon Health Region
Other Organizations
Pfizer Canada
University of Calgary
Ain Shams University Egypt
Baycrest
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario
Université de Montréal
Revera Inc.
Alzheimer's Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Cape Breton District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Community College
Université de Montréal
Ahmadu Bello University
University of Western Ontario
Other Organizations
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
University of Virginia
McMaster University
Université de Moncton
South Shore District Health Authority Nova Scotia
University of Waterloo
Extendicare Canada
Alzheimers National Board
Other Organizations
Centre de Sante Mental Communautaire
Universidad de Sao Paulo
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
University of Alberta
University of Toronto
Brock University
Alzheimer Society - Guelph-Wellington
Public Health Agency of Canada
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority Nova
Scotia
Alzheimer Society - Windsor
Baycrest
Rozanne Wilson
Ruby Librado
Ruth Hubbard
Salinda Horgan
Sam Searle
Samantha Costello
Sameh Hassan
Sandra Black
Sandra Campbell
Sandra J. G. Hobson
Sandra Loucks Campbell
Sanna Aavaluoma
Sarah Clark
Sarah Kehoe
Sarah Krieger-Frost
Sarah Pakzad
Sarah Thompson
Scott Dudgeon
Scott MacPherson
Sean Nestor
Serge Gauthier
Serina Weleschuk
Shahida Devji
Sharon Cohen
Sharon Craver
Sharon Phillips
Shelley McCrokell
Shelley Peacock
Sherri Fay
Sherry Addicott
Sherry Dupuis
Sherry Hole
Shigeyo Okeino
Simone Powell
Siwaporn Chankrachang
Stacey Haywood
Stacy Wraight
Stephanie Bennett
Stephanie Tardif
Stephen Cunnane
Sue Brandon
University of Toronto
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Providence Care
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
CDKTN Project Office
Dalhousie University
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
University of Waterloo
University of Western Ontario
University of Waterloo
Private Practice
Providence Care
CDKTN Project Office
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Université de Moncton
Horizon Health Network
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
Robarts Research Institute
McGill University
Good Samaritan TeleCare
Delta View Life Environment Centre
Other Organizations
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
Alberta Health Services
Alzheimer Society - Elgin - St. Thomas
University of Alberta
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Community College
University of Waterloo
University of New Brunswick
Kyoto Tachibana University
Public Health Agency of Canada
Chiang Mai University
Other Organizations
Alzheimer Society - Elgin - St. Thomas
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Northwood intouch
Université de Sherbrooke
Flower Foundation Cosmos House
Sue Pottie
Sultan Darvesh
Susan Barringer
Susan J. Oates
Susan Ratté
Susan Slaughter
Susan Wozniak
Susanne Goldberg
Sushma Chawla
Suzanne Tyas
Sylvie Belleville
Tammy Hopper
Tanya McNutt
Tasha Ross
Tianyu Zhao
Tiffany Chow
Tom MacNeil
Tom White
Tracey Fisher
Trish Bilski
Trish Purcell
Tsukasa Nakamoto
Valentina Echeverria Moran
Veronica Simmonds-MacAdam
Vicki Poffley
Vicky Roy
Vinci Hung
Wenda MacDonald
Wendi Li
Wendy Francis
Wendy Hulko
William Nisker
Xiaowei Song
Yumiko Momuse
Yves Joanette
Yvonne Lombard
Zadha Tulloch
Zhou Yu
Ziad Nasreddine
Mount Saint Vincent University
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society - Peterborough & Area
St. Mary's General Hospital
Alzheimer Society - Cornwall & District
University of Alberta
NS Hearing and Speech Centre
Kawartha Regional Memory Clinic
Other Organizations
University of Waterloo
Université de Montréal
University of Alberta
Cedarstone
Northwood Nova Scotia
CDKTN Project Office
Baycrest
Annapolis Valley Health Authority Nova Scotia
Dementia & Collaborative Research Centres Australia
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Consortium of Canadian Centres for Clinical Cognitive
Research (C5R)
Kyoto Tachibana University
Bay Pines Health Care System
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society - Kingston
Alzheimer Society - Sault Ste Marie & Algoma
University of Toronto
Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia
Yee Hong Centre
Alzheimer Society - Elgin - St. Thomas
Thompson Rivers University
JBN Medical
Capital District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Other Organizations
Université de Montréal
South West Nova District Health Authority Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society of Jamaica
Other Organizations
CEDRA
APPENDIX 2a
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Building Capacity in the AD&D Research Community
Activities:
 In December 2010, CDKTN’s provincial nodes participated at the Canadian Association on
Gerontology conference in Montreal with a network booth. The 39th Annual Scientific and
Education Meeting: Spotlight In Integration of Knowledge and Practice was held in
Montreal, Quebec on December 2, 2010. Additionally, capacity was built in the research
community through abstracts, presentations, webinars and related activities. These
included:
 Toward improved KT of dementia research in Canada: Understanding the landscape and
building the infrastructure, Joanna Briggs Conference, Chicago, IL, September 2010. (Chahal,
N.)
 Genetic prediction of AD in indigenous communities: Intercultural ethical implications.
Alzheimers Disease International, Toronto, Ontario, March 2011. (E., Beattie, B.L., Butler, R.,
Illes, J.)
 An abstract for an oral presentation entitled, “Whose Genetic Mutation Is It?” International
Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, Paris, July 16-21, 2011. (Beattie, B.L., Brief, E, Butler R.,
Illes, J.)
 An abstract for an oral presentation entitled “Knowledge Translation that puts researchbased information in the hands of knowledge Users” International Conference on
Alzheimer’s Disease, July 16-21, 2011.
 CDRAKE hosted 13 topic-specific webinars reaching over 1800 people through our
Knowledge Dissemination Series. Ten (10) of these webinars where hosted in partnership
with the Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC) to help support the information needs of the
ASC provincial and local chapter staff. The CDRAKE Knowledge Dissemination series
enabled researchers to have access to knowledge users to not only disseminate but also
actively engage potential users in the research process (i.e. integrated knowledge
translation or participatory action research methods).
 CDRAKE also continued to provide continuous knowledge brokering via the CDRAKE team,
both in-person and online, which fosters connections between researchers and knowledge
users on an ongoing basis and greatly enhances access to information and resources on an
individual basis.
APPENDIX 2b
Building Capacity in the Knowledge User Community
Presentation & Workshops:
 Dr. Keefe hosted a workshop for front line professional caregivers (nurses, social workers,
care assessors, etc) to better understand the needs of caregivers hosted.
 Dr. Keefe hosted a public lecture during caregiver's month highlighting the need to
recognize the importance of family/friend caregivers including those providing care to
persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
 Dr. Keefe presented CDKTN at the Nova Scotia Seniors Mental Health Network.
 Dr. K. Rockwood, Dr. Arnold Mitnitski and Xiaowei Song on “Aging and Longevity in Canada
and China.” The presentation was made at Veterans’ Memorial Building as part of the
China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative Program jointly funded by CIHR and NNSFC.
 Dr. Rockwood presented to approximately 45 care providers at Northwood in November 15,
2010. The presentation titled “Why do People with Alzheimer’s Disease have Good and Bad
Days.
 KT10: Improving Health Systems with Knowledge Translation – Halifax, Nova Scotia, June
2010 (Workshop: Breaking Integrated KT Barriers through Knowledge Exchange)
 Canadian Public Health Association – Toronto, Ontario, June 2010 (Paper: Knowledge
Brokering: Identifying barriers and finding solutions to accessing and using evidence to
inform practice)
 Ontario Gerontology Association – June, 2010 (Paper: Action Research, Grounded Policy:
Changing the System of Care for Seniors with Complex Dementia or Mental Heath Related
Behaviours; Paper: Knowledge Transfer in Age Friendly Communities)
 Canadian Coalition for Senior’s Mental Health Conference – Halifax, Nova Scotia, September
2010 (Workshop: The Knowledge Broker in You)
 Joanna Briggs Colloquium: Knowledge to Action – Chicago, Illinois, September 2010
(Symposium with Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network Theme 1, the
Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange, and CDRAKE)
 Canadian Association on Gerontology – Montreal, Quebec, December, 2010 (Panel:
National Change Initiatives in Support of Older Adults)
 SHRTN Collaborative Annual Assembly – Toronto, Ontario, June, 2010 (Workshop: KTE in
Action)
 OLTCA Research Day – Toronto, Ontario, November, 2010 (Workshop: Dementia Care:
Behavioural Support Systems)
 Alzheimer Disease International Conference – Toronto, Ontario, March 2011 (Workshop:
Pay it Forward: Your role in Translating Knowledge to Practice; Paper: Building Capacity for
Better Care: Behavioural Support Systems Across Canada)
CDKTN Network Booth Exhibits:
 2010 International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 11-14th.
This was the first international conference attended by CDKTN as a network.
 4th National Conference: Connecting Research and Education to Care in Seniors Mental
Health in Halifax in September 2010 (Booth). The conference provided 50 paper
presentations, 16 workshops, posters and special events.
 4th Annual Making the Connection Conference “Innovations in Older Adult Care” in Prince
Edward Island on October 14 and 15th. The conference was for health care professionals
who directly provided or administered older adult care in PEI. It was attended by doctors,
nurses, social workers, dieticians, PT & OTs, LPNs, care coordinators, program managers and
administrators - most from the PEI Provincial System of Community Hospitals and
Continuing Care facilities.
 21st Provincial Alzheimer Conference in Dartmouth, NS entitled “Rising Tide: Navigating the
Journey.” The conference was attended by over 300 delegates who came together to learn
more about dementia. The audience consisted of health care professionals and the general
public.
 Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference in Toronto. The conference was attended by
1100 delegates. Total visitors to the CDKTN booth were 696 and the Network gained 173
new members.
Sponsorships:
 CDKTN sponsored the Outstanding Volunteer Award for Kath Tyldesley, Dementia Support
Group, Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling, UK. The award was
presented at the DSDC 4th International Conference “Coming of Age” in London during
October 2010.
 Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia Annual Breakfast “Changing Faces of Dementia” January
27, 2011
Leadership:
 CDKTN was invited in 2010 to lead as the site for KT for a national proposal called the
Canadian Dementia Action Network (CDAN), has continued to advocate for this major
research initiative. For more details, please visit http://www.cdan.ca/aboutus.html
 CDKTN has been invited to participate as International Collaborative Research Strategy for
Alzheimer’s Disease (ICRSAD)
 CDRAKE has developed a set of knowledge brokering core competencies. The results of this
initiative (tested among field-based knowledge brokers in March 2010) were presented at
the Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health annual conference in Halifax in September
2010. A National Virtual Workshop entitled “Demystifying Knowledge Brokering” was also
hosted on March 15, 2010.
 Dr. Lynn Beattie has continued to develop a national database of approximately 800 courses
and education opportunities. This database will be linked to www.lifeandminds.ca and the
CDKTN intranet.
APPENDIX 2c
Research Projects Building Capacity among Care Givers
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Good Days/Bad Days investigates people with non-Lewy-body, mild-moderate dementia
and their caregivers describe fluctuations in their symptoms from one day to the next. This
study seeks to discover which symptoms and changes are implicated by patients and
caregivers and which questioning methods elicit the most descriptive and useful
information about this phenomenon. To date, the team has conducted 32 brief clinical
interviews with patients and caregivers, including 30 follow up interviews with caregivers at
2 weeks and 2 months. The interview data is currently being transcribed for analysis. This
team has recently been awarded a CIHR Catalyst Grant (Pilot Projects in Aging - Social
Dimension in Aging) that may result in the development of a tool or guide that will be used
to help patients, caregivers and health care providers better recognize and track this
phenomenon.
Driving and Dementia CDKTN partnered with Dr. Paige Moorhouse, Principal Investigator to
evaluate the effects of a public service announcement (PSA) on attitudes towards driving
and dementia in Nova Scotia. The website, notifbutwhen.ca, was launched in March 2010
and is a repository of information, tools and other resources sourced from the Alzheimer
Society of Nova Scotia, The Nova Scotia Registry of Motor Vehicles and various other
stakeholders. The boasts approximately 100 new and 80 return visitors each month.
Knowledge Synthesis - Meta-ethnography of paid dementia care workers' perspectives on
their jobs. Principal Investigatorship of Dr. Kenneth Rockwood and researchers at Geriatric
Medicine Research (Halifax, NS) are working on a knowledge synthesis of the perspectives
of paid dementia care workers on the jobs they do. They allowed for inclusion of qualitative
research focusing on any setting and type of paid worker (e.g. registered nurses, physicians,
care assistants) in any country. The publications have been collected, analyzed and the
initial results distributed among various Knowledge Users for feedback on the content as
well as the best method for dissemination.
Think Tank 2010: Dementia Care Education in Nova Scotia, June 2010. Hosted by CDKTN
and Geriatric Medicine Research at Dalhousie University, the event was attended by 50
participants representing a wide spectrum in dementia care education including physicians,
nurses, allied health professionals, administrators, volunteers, industry representatives,
policy makers, and researchers. A third Think Tank was held on December 15, 2010 that
brought together key participants from the June event. This working session focused on
various KT tools, their implementation and operation. Next steps include applying for
grants and funding opportunities for Spring 2011 and to investigate the potential income
from certain KT activities for non health related industries that would serve as a means to
generate revenue to sustain the network viable project.
APPENDIX 3a
KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION OUTCOMES
Applications of research knowledge to KT&E
Patient and Caregiver KT Activities:
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Continuing on a 2009 project, CDKTN commissioned local song writer and musician,
Christina Martin, to develop music and lyrics for an educational video about Dr. Gray, a
leading Geriatrician, who made considerable advances for Geriatric Medicine. These
informative and education tools will be unveiled with a National publicity launch in spring
2011 and will involve partnership with the Newfoundland Government.
CDKTN and local song writer and musician, Christina Martin, collaborated to broaden the
public’s understanding of dementia through music. The song was unveiled at the
Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference in Toronto March, 2011. Christina Martin also
conducted a signing event at the CDKTN booth during the conference event. The added
exposure reinforced people’s attention to the topic of KT.
CDKTN continued working with Meg Federico, Halifax author of the book Welcome to the
Departure Lounge, and Dr. Sylvie Belleville (CDKTN member) to produce French versions of
the videos, using readings by Édith Fournier, from her book titled J’ai commencé mon
éternité, Éditions de l’Homme. Filmed experts from these books, along with a survey to
gather feedback from subject experts including neurologists and geriatric psychiatrists, will
be available on www.lifeandminds.ca in April 2011. The resulting impressions and
interpretations will record viewer’s reaction to the readings. CDKTN would like to examine
what the readings mean to researchers, caregivers and family members.
CDKTN is collaborating with Dr. Tiffany Chow’s When Dementia is in the House to assess the
needs of dementia affected children in the home and to create multimedia educational
materials to address these needs. The overarching premise of the project is to improve the
quality of life of children experiencing dementia in a household member through education
and techniques to optimize quality together-time. Objectives of the project will include
reducing stress related to insufficient knowledge needs of FTD, enabling care giving by
young children and adolescents and enhancing patient quality of life by adjusting caregiver
expectations and interest.
Dr. Keefe, the Principal Investigator "Care Practice in Cognitive Impairment in Aging
Program" evaluates whether timing of caregiver assessment impacts with older spousal
caregivers of persons with cognitive impairment.
Dr. Janice Keefe has continued with a previous grant award to improve educational access
for care assessors on the needs of caregivers. The project is entitled "TEER for CARE:
Technology-Enabled Education for Recognizing Caregivers' Aspirations, Realities &
Expectations”
Environmental scan of existing KE networks, best practices, strategies; achieved via CDRAKE
Steering Committee quarterly roundtable discussions, engagement through Dementia
Knowledge Broker (www.dementiaknowledgebroker.ca), Twitter communications
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(@knowdementia), Google reader and associated RSS feeds, Participation in KE networks
(Canadian Networking the Networks Initiative partners), KTE Knowledge Bank, collaboration
with CDKTN Evaluation group in the cross-sectional environmental scan of KT innovation
centres, Knowledge Brokering Project and research
Building relationships with thought-leaders to contribute to various tools and publication,
respond to requests for information either through interest expressed via the CDRAKE Pulse
or through knowledge brokering questions, involvement in special projects (i.e. BSS,
emergency preparedness, etc.), engagement through the knowledge dissemination sessions
live chat
Knowledge Transfer and Exchange (KT &E) conferences/ workshops
 KT10: Improving Health Systems with Knowledge Translation – Halifax, Nova Scotia, June
2010 (Workshop: Breaking Integrated KT Barriers through Knowledge Exchange)
 Canadian Public Health Association – Toronto, Ontario, June 2010 (Paper: Knowledge
Brokering: Identifying barriers and finding solutions to accessing and using evidence to
inform practice)
 Ontario Gerontology Association – June, 2010 (Paper: Action Research, Grounded Policy:
Changing the System of Care for Seniors with Complex Dementia or Mental Heath
Related Behaviours; Paper: Knowledge Transfer in Age Friendly Communities)
 International Conference on Alzheimer Disease – Honolulu, Hawaii, July, 2010 (Booth)
 Canadian Coalition for Senior’s Mental Health Conference – Halifax, Nova Scotia,
September 2010 (Workshop: The Knowledge Broker in You)
 Joanna Briggs Colloquium: Knowledge to Action – Chicago, Illinois, September 2010
(Symposium with Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network Theme 1, the
Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange, and CDRAKE)
 Canadian Association on Gerontology – Montreal, Quebec, December, 2010 (Panel:
National Change Initiatives in Support of Older Adults)
 SHRTN Collaborative Annual Assembly – Toronto, Ontario, June, 2010 (Workshop: KTE in
Action)
 OLTCA Research Day – Toronto, Ontario, November, 2010 (Workshop: Dementia Care:
Behavioural Support Systems)
 Alzheimer Disease International Conference – Toronto, Ontario, March 2011
(Workshop: Pay it Forward: Your role in Translating Knowledge to Practice; Paper:
Building Capacity for Better Care: Behavioural Support Systems Across Canada;
Workshop: Primary Care Knowledge Exchange)
Research & KT&E partnerships between all key stakeholders
 This fiscal year CDRAKE hosted 13 topic-specific webinars reaching over 1800 people
through our Knowledge Dissemination Series. Ten (10) of these webinars where hosted
in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC) to help support the
information needs of the ASC provincial and local chapter staff. The CDRAKE Knowledge
Dissemination series enabled researchers to have access to knowledge users to not only
disseminate but also actively engage potential users in the research process (i.e.
integrated knowledge translation or participatory action research methods).
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In addition to these webinars, CDRAKE partnered on the following research projects:
 KT Resource Group – Emergency Preparedness: CDRAKE participated in and provided
consultation towards the development of an e-learning module on frailty, dementia and
disasters. This e-learning module is now hosted on the Dementia Knowledge Broker and
CDRAKE will co-host two webinars to stimulate awareness and use of the module.
 Cary Brown – Sleep and Dementia: Sleep and Dementia: CDRAKE partnered with Dr.
Brown to host a webinar entitled Helping People with Dementia Get a Good Night's
Sleep: What research tells us about non-drug based strategies. This enabled Cary to:
disseminate her research findings to a broader audience, gather feedback from
participants to inform future study, and stimulate discussion on the topic
 Interventions for Neuropsychiatric Systems of Dementia in Long-Term Care – A
systematic review: This is a CIHR synthesis grant and CDRAKE leads the KT working
group.
 The Partnership in Dementia Care Alliance (PiDC): This project is funded by a CURA grant
and focuses on cultural change in dementia care using affirmative inquiry approach in
diverse long-term care settings.
 Aging and Developmental Disabilities (UNBC & SHRTN): CDRAKE has partnered with the
Seniors Health Research and Transfer Network’s Community of Practice on Aging and
Developmental Disabilities to design, disseminate and analyze a national survey on
Learning & Information Needs of Family and Staff Caregivers of Adults with an
Intellectual Disability who have Dementia. This survey seeks to identify the learning &
information needs of family and staff caregivers of adults with a developmental /
intellectual disability who have possible dementia and develop learning opportunities
that match learning needs and interests. The survey is open to family members, staff
providing direct care, managers, administrators, and policy makers. Research
Investigators: Nancy Jokinen, Elizabeth Lusk, Megan Harris, Elizabeth Clark.
 Self-management in Dementia: As co-investigators CDRAKE is providing support in
concept development and knowledge translation; project funded by the Ontario
Research Coalition Senior Development Award.
 Enhancing Systems Capacity to Improve Quality and Continuity of Mental Health Care
for Seniors in Assisted Living in Long-Term Care: CDRAKE is providing KT support. This
project is supported by Alberta Mental Health Research Partnership Program
Pilot research projects related to KE and research projects related to knowledge exchange:
 Field-Based Knowledge Brokering: This project was funded by the Ontario Research
Coalition and built on the knowledge brokering core competency framework developed
by Harris and Lusk (2010) as part of the Canadian Dementia Resource and Knowledge
Exchange. This project tested and validated this framework by involving field-based
service providers who are mandated to provide collaborative consultation, learning and
development, and system linkages in Ontario (Psychogeriatric Resource ConsultantsPRCs) to assess their use of knowledge brokering skills and determine if they place
greater emphasis on one skill over others. A communication tool summarizing this
project work can be accessed through the following link:

http://www.dementiaknowledgebroker.ca/docs/knowledge-brokering/field-basedknowledge-brokering
Knowledge Broker Suite of Resources: This project began in 2009 and was funded by
CDRAKE to develop knowledge broker expertise in health care community across
Canada. The 2010-2011 fiscal year saw a significant effort in the dissemination of and
dialogue about these resources. As a result of this effort, the series of resources
authored by Megan Harris and Elizabeth Lusk have been leveraged by several groups as
learning and development tools to support KE activity including but not limited to
CDKTN Theme 1, the Niagara Knowledge Network, Canadian Coalition for Senior’s
Mental Health, Senior’s Health Research Transfer Network, and the Alzheimer
Knowledge Exchange. These resources can be accessed through the following links:
- Literature Review: http://www.dementiaknowledgebroker.ca/docs/knowledgebrokering/knowledge-brokering-literature-review
-
Knowledge Brokering Info Sheet:
http://www.dementiaknowledgebroker.ca/docs/knowledge-brokering/knowledgebrokering-info-sheet
-
Knowledge Brokering Core Competency Framework:
http://www.dementiaknowledgebroker.ca/docs/knowledge-brokering/knowledgebrokering-core-competency-framework
APPENDIX 3b
Evaluation Activities
Evaluation Next Steps in 2011:
A framework for the evaluation of CDKTN has been developed, building on the outcomes and
recommendations derived from the initial environmental scan. This framework has been
developed using the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS)
framework, which is a multidimensional model for promoting the use of research in practice.
Knowledge generated throughout this evaluation will describe the structure, process, and
outcomes of CDKTN.
The following components will be implemented over the next eight months to achieve the
objectives of this evaluation:
1. Survey of CDRAKE members regarding their participation in online events/activities;
2. Interviews with frequent participants of CDRAKE events/activities;
3. Interviews with representatives of CDKTN National Board, Management Committee, and
other key network participants;
4. Survey of the individuals receiving CDKTN research funding;
5. Survey of CDKTN members;
6. Survey of CDKTN website users;
7. Tracking of network activities; and,
8. Environmental scan of the perspectives of persons with dementia and their care
partners.
APPENDIX 3c
CDKTN Key Evaluation Activities for 2010-2011:
Environmental scan: Building on previously completed environmental scan activities from 2009
(e.g., Think Tank event held in December 2008 to receive broad stakeholder input on CDKTN
goals and priorities, and the Knowledge Bank repository of dementia related resources, which
identified current practices, knowledge gaps and opportunities) key scan activities for 2010 to
date included:
 the development of an inventory of KTE training programs in Canada;
 interviews with KTE academics, researchers and trainees to inform our understanding
of current and best practices in KTE training, existing gaps, and strategies for enhancing
opportunities for KTE;
 the development of an inventory of Canadian networks and organizations interested in
dementia, mental health, seniors health and KTE;
 interviews with network representatives to share network-based best practices for KTE
and to identify potential opportunities for KTE partnerships;
 interviews with policy makers to identify key sources of information to support policy
making, planning, decision-making related to dementia, gaps in knowledge and
suggestions for improving access to information;
 a review of the literature on online KTE strategies to elucidate critical considerations
for website design and important guidelines for the written content in order to
maximize the usability and relevance of the CDKTN website; and,
 a review of Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) research priority setting
events/activities to identify research priorities from the perspectives of researchers,
research funding bodies, policy makers, clinicians, persons with early stage dementia,
and family caregivers.
Key Findings of the Environmental Scan: Factors for dementia-related KTE that can be used to
inform the strategic direction for CDKTN were identified:
Theme 1: Education and Training in Knowledge Translation and Exchange
 Champions and leadership support: there are numerous Canadian champions and
leaders in KTE, dementia research, and dementia care. Many of these champions are
CDKTN members.
 Climate of change in academic research: few academic institutions reward KTE efforts,
resulting in a lack of motivation for engaging in these activities. Interest in KTE has
increased with the pressures on academic institutions to recruit and retain talented
researchers and to measure impact of research and development.
 Knowledge gaps related to KTE were identified related to a lack of KTE theoretical
models, KTE best practices/ strategies, resources, and evaluation studies
Theme 2: The Canadian Dementia Resource and Knowledge Exchange (CDRAKE)
 Availability of information to support KTE: limited literature regarding health literacy
and KTE.
 Evidence-based culture in policy development: there is an increasing trend towards the
formation of evidence-based policy. Although there have been improvements in the
interface between policy-makers and researchers, policy-makers continue to experience
challenges in accessing new knowledge and research.
 Alzheimer Society as a valued source of information: this society has been identified as a
primary and significant source of information for persons with dementia and their care
partners. The Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange (AKE), in its partnership with the Seniors
Health Research Transfer Network (SHRTN), supports stakeholder groups including
clinicians, front-line workers, administrators and other policy/decision makers.
 Limited collaboration among existing KTE networks.
 Lack of collaboration between all key stakeholder groups regarding dementia-related
KTE.
 Limited use of technology and innovative KTE strategies.
 Ongoing development of CDKTN is needed to facilitate and support further
developments in dementia-related KTE.
 Organizational change is important to create a culture that values KTE.
Theme 3: Person and Care Partner Centered Knowledge Translation
 Perspectives of persons with dementia and their care partners: these individuals have
information needs encompassing all research theme areas (biomedical, clinical, health
services and population health). However, this information is not readily available or
understood. The most significant research priorities relate to:
o drug development to delay disease progression;
o strategies to increase awareness and education for family physicians (related to
screening and early diagnosis);
o strategies to reduce stigma associated with dementia, the evaluation of
interventions offered in long-term care homes (outcome studies, service delivery);
and,
o screening the children of those diagnosed with ADRD.
Recommendations: Based on the findings of the environmental scan, a number of networkwide and theme-specific recommendations, goals and strategies have been developed related
to guiding the review of CDKTN’s strategic plan for the next two years of funding and the future
of CDKTN, The recommendations cover
 implementation plan for the network;
 strategic communication plan;
 establishment of key partnerships both locally and nationally;
 promotion of the network sponsorship of funding grants for KTE related research and other
activities/ events that raise awareness of the network
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increased national profile of dementia;
coordination of KTE programs for trainees and clinicians;
evaluation, creation and/or expansion of evaluation of KTE resources and tools;
implementation of a Canadian Dementia KTE “Workshop”;
support for KTE as a component of an organization’s culture;
implementation of regional KTE initiatives;
recruitment of knowledge brokers;
creation and evaluation of evidence-based guidelines and tools;
mobilization of the use of electronic knowledge exchange strategies; and,
active engagement of individuals with dementia and their care partners, consumer groups, as
well as community partners in research.