DREAM Project
The Dementia Resources for Eating, Activity, and Meaningful Inclusion (DREAM) Team was assembled in 2020, and was expanded to our current team in 2021. The DREAM team is a collaboration of Canadian researchers, nutrition experts, physical activity experts, service providers, health care providers, dementia service providers, and people with lived experience regarding dementia (people living with dementia and family and friend care partners).
We use a participatory approach in this project. This means that all members of the DREAM team are equal partners. We include the diverse perspectives of all DREAM Team members in all decision-making, especially the perspectives of our team members living with dementia. This project is for Canadians, by Canadians.
DREAM Learning Manual for Service Providers
This manual will help service providers develop knowledge and skills for engaging with people living with dementia and supporting inclusive physical activity, healthy eating, and other wellness programs.
Download Learning Manual:
DREAM Handbook for People Living with Dementia and Care Partners
Understand dementia and your rights to inclusion in community programs and services.
Understand the benefits and recommendations for physical activity and discover ways to be active.
Understand the benefits and recommendations for healthy eating and discover ways to be involved at mealtimes.
DREAM Training
A seven-module eLearning course to help service providers develop knowledge and skills for engaging with people living with dementia and supporting inclusive physical activity, healthy eating, and other wellness programs or services.
DREAM Resources
These resources will help services providers to learn about supporting people living with dementia through inclusion, physical activity, exercise, and healthy eating. They also include resources to share with people living with dementia, family, and friends.
DREAM Team Members
Principal Investigator
- Laura Middleton – University of Waterloo
Research Coordinators
- Kayla Regan – University of Waterloo
- Melissa Koch – University of Waterloo
- Salima Somani – University of Northern British Columbia
UW Co-Investigators
- Kelly Skinner – University of Waterloo
- Heather Keller – University of Waterloo
UNBC Co-Investigators
- Shannon Freeman – University of Northern British Columbia
- Chelsea Pelletier – University of Northern British Columbia
Staff and Students
- Rachael Donnelly – University of Waterloo
- Hana Dakkak – University of Waterloo
- Aderonke Agboji – University of Northern British Columbia
- Alanna Koopmans – University of Northern British Columbia
- Cameron Aird – University of Waterloo
- Isabella Romano – University of Waterloo
- Amanda Doggett – University of Waterloo
- Alle Butler – University of Waterloo
- Claire Buchan – University of Waterloo
- Huda Nasir – University of Waterloo
- Sarah Mazen – University of Waterloo
- Emma Rossnagel – University of Waterloo
Steering Commitee
- Carole Johannesson – Person with Lived Experience
- Bill Heibein – Person with Lived Experience
- Louisa Sanchez – Care partner for a Person with Lived Experience
- Sana Aziz – Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia
- Srija Biswas – Alzheimer Society of Ontario
- Iman Arab – Intercultural Relation Consultant
- Anna Wren – British Columbia Ministry of Health
- Ann Holmes – Active Health Solutions
- Tracie Albisser – Active Health Solutions
- Fatim Ajwani – University Health Network
- Ted Zhang – COSTI Immigrant Services
- Len Carter – Dementia Advocate
- Myrna Norman – Dementia Advocate
- Wayne Hykaway – Care partner to his wife, who is a Person with Lived Experience
DREAM Partners
The Dementia Resources for Eating, Activity, and Meaningful Inclusion (DREAM) project is a collaboration of 40 people and 15 partner organizations.
DREAM Funders
The DREAM project is supported by funds from the Public Health Agency of Canada – Dementia Community Investment. In-kind support is provided by the University of Waterloo, University of Northern British Columbia, Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Alzheimer Society of Ontario, Alzheimer Society of Waterloo-Wellington, Alzheimer Society of British Columbia, Waterloo Region Dementia Advocacy Group, British Columbia Ministry of Health, Active Health Solutions, KITE-University Health Network, Patient Voices Network, Dietitians of Canada, Community Support Connections – Meals on Wheels and more, City of Kitchener, YMCAs of Three Rivers Waterloo Region, Roots to Harvest, Costi, Ontario Brain Institute, and Dementia Advocacy Canada.