UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Supporting caregivers of people living with dementia

University of Northern British Columbia Nursing Professor Shannon Freeman received a four-year, $1 million grant to support people living with dementia and their caregivers across northern B.C. 

School of Nursing Professor Dr. Shannon Freeman is leading the Care Partner Empowerment: Enhancing Lives in Dementia Care project.

The project, Care Partner Empowerment: Enhancing Lives in Dementia Care, received funding through the Public Health Agency of Canada's Dementia Community Investment program. Northern Health is a partner on this initiative. 

Using a train-the-trainer model, the project aims to support caregivers of people living with dementia by offering resources that reduce caregiver burnout and help people age in place. By equipping caregivers with practical knowledge and resources, the project will help reduce feelings of psychological distress, lessen feelings of isolation, increase confidence and alleviate the pressures of caregiving.   

Read more about the project on the Public Health Agency of Canada's website. 

Quotes: 

"Caring for a friend or family member living with dementia can be challenging," says UNBC Nursing Professor Dr. Shannon Freeman. "By equipping caregivers with practical knowledge, tools and support, this research project will help caregivers across northern B.C. to reduce stress and burnout while strengthening the quality of care and quality of life for everyone involved." 

"This research will make a real difference for caregivers and people living with dementia across northern B.C., while also laying the groundwork for a scalable, province-wide model of person-centred dementia care education that can be adapted to communities across British Columbia," says UNBC Interim President Dr. Bill Owen.  

"Family and friend caregivers play a vital role in supporting people living with dementia, yet too often they are asked to do this work without adequate training or support particularly in rural and northern communities," says Tracee Dunn, Northern Health Strategic Lead for the Elder Services Network. "Northern Health is proud to be part of this partnership project with UNBC that recognizes caregivers as essential partners in care and equips them with practical, evidence-informed tools to support quality of life, reduce caregiver burnout, and strengthen dementia care across the continuum. This PHAC funding allows us to invest in education and approaches that will have lasting benefits for caregivers, people living with dementia, and the health system as a whole."