With the growing prevalence of dementia which already affects over half a million Canadians, the race is on to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and the quality of life for those impacted by this disease.

That’s why the Alzheimer Society is inviting Canadians, whether they have the disease, are caregivers or health-care providers to have their say in what they think the research priorities should be by participating in the Canadian Priority Setting Partnership.

The Partnership is a study that is funded by the Alzheimer Society Research Program and is being led by Drs. Katherine McGilton, Senior Scientist and Jennifer Bethell, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network. Its aim is to bring the voices of Canadians affected by dementia into the research conversation, and follows the methods of the James Lind Alliance in the UK, which have proven successful in engaging the public and clinicians to identify research priorities.

Dementia research in Canada is largely research-driven. By involving people with lived experience, researchers will gain more insight into the kind of research Canadians need and want. The study results will be used to produce a list of the top 10 research priorities, which will guide researchers and the organizations that fund them.

To participate in the study, visit: www.alzheimer.ca/researchpriorities

Participants are also encouraged to share the link through their personal and social networks.