Important Dates

Notices

The content of this funding opportunity has been updated
Date updated: 2007-08-22
Sections updated: How to Apply

Additional Information
Applications are submitted through the October 2007 - Fellowship competition, but special instructions found below must be followed.

Table of Contents

• Description
• Objectives
• Eligibility
• Guidelines
• Performance Measurement
• Review Process and Evaluation
• How to Apply
• Contact Information
• Partner/Collaborator Description

Description

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to build research capacity to advance clinical knowledge and practice in the field of Dementia and Veterans Care.

Three separate Fellowships are announced in this funding opportunity:

• Ste. Anne's Hospital - Veterans Affairs Canada - CIHR IA Fellowship on Veterans and Dementia
• The Capital Care Group - CIHR IA Fellowship on Veterans and Dementia
• St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program - CIHR IA Fellowship on Veterans and Dementia

This funding opportunity is announced under the Cognitive Impairment in Aging Priority Topics of the CIHR Institute of Aging, in collaboration with partners who have a common goal of offering Veterans and eligible civilians a wide range of programs and a continuum of high quality care and services. All Partners seek to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice in the domains of gerontology and mental health.

Aging is associated with a high prevalence of cognitive impairment. It is estimated that 16% of people over 65 years have some form of cognitive impairment, in addition to 8% presenting with a degenerative brain disease such as dementia. This prevalence increases exponentially with age to figures of 30% (cognitive impairment) and 35% (dementia), after age 85. Cognitive impairment and dementia not only threaten the quality of life of those affected, but also have an impact on family and professional partners in care, representing challenges to clinical practice and health services.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) works in partnership with other government health care authorities, health care providers and research professionals to ensure that clients receive appropriate health care. In addition to VAC's Ste. Anne's Hospital, a number of Priority Access Beds sites enable VAC to accommodate veterans, such as the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Centre for Veterans and St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program.

Ste. Anne's Hospital is located in the proximity of a number of renowned universities and research institutions in Montreal, Quebec, making it a hub for a number of research collaborations among various institutions and multidisciplinary research.

The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Centre for Veterans, in Edmonton, Alberta, is operated by the Capital Care Group Inc., and has an established reputation in the research field. The primary goal for research at Capital Care Group Inc. is to enhance the quality of life of the residents and their families/friends as well as the quality of life of staff.

St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program research is affiliated with the Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care Program of the Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ontario. The Lawson is one of the largest hospital-based research institutes in Canada.

Funds Available

Funding through this announcement is contingent upon the partners' availability of funds and CIHR's availability of funds, which is voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations and the conditions that may be attached to them.

The maximum amount awarded for a single award is $55,000 annually for up to three years. The stipend and eligible term depends on degree(s) held, licensure (where applicable) and experience of the applicant. Complete details can be found in the Fellowship Awards program description. The award includes the following:

• Trainee stipend: $21,000 to $50,000 per annum.
• Research allowance: $5,000 per annum.
• This award is non-renewable.
• Applications receiving a review score of less than 3.5 will not be considered for funding.

A total of six (6) awards could be offered.

Partner/Collaborator Participation

CIHR is dedicated to identifying and developing collaborations with other funding organizations and stakeholders to enhance the availability of funding for this strategic initiative, and to create, where appropriate, opportunities for knowledge exchange and translation related to the scope of this particular initiative. Applicants are invited to visit the Partner/Collaborator Description section to find a list of partners/collaborators and their respective mandates and/or strategic interests. This list will continue to evolve as new partners/collaborators join in this initiative. The specific research foci and requirements for each partner/collaborator are outlined in the section "Objectives".

Objectives

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to:

• provide support for highly qualified candidates at the post-PhD or post-health professional degree stages in the field of aging to add to their experience by engaging in health research;
• advance clinical knowledge and practice in the field of dementia;
• respond to knowledge needs identified by the CIHR Institute of Aging, Veterans Affairs Canada, Veterans Care Programs, and Veterans and older clients.

Relevant Research Areas

The relevant research areas are outlined below, additional details for each fellowship opportunity can be found under the Partner/Collaborator Description.

For the Ste. Anne's Hospital - Veterans Affairs Canada training opportunity, the proposed research activities must fit with the following research environments and research areas:

• The Hospital accommodates some 430 Veterans receiving extended or respite care. A newly built pavilion of 116 beds is dedicated to the residents suffering from dementia. The Day Centre offers support services to about 200 Veterans still living in their community. Also the Ste. Anne's Centre offers mental health services to Canadian Forces members and Veterans.
• Relevant research areas in dementia include:
  1. Prevention
  2. Dementia and other disorders
  3. Treatment and interventions
  4. Health services, care delivery and environment

For the Capital Care Group Inc. training opportunity, the proposed research activities must fit with the following research environments and research areas:

• The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Centre for Veterans accommodates some 120 Veterans receiving continuing care (round-the-clock nursing care); the main floor is specially designed for persons with Alzheimer disease and other dementias; the second floor serves medically-fragile and self-directed residents; and a Day Centre area offers support services to Veterans, and others, still living in the community. The Centre has a residential model of care, thus the eight "houses" each have a kitchen and dining room, all bedrooms are single occupancy, and staff are multi-skilled. As an "Eden Alternative" site, the environment is enriched for residents, staff, families and the community; the YMCA operates a children's day care in the centre as part of this enrichment.
• Relevant research areas in dementia include:
  1. Treatment and interventions
  2. Health services, care delivery and environment
  3. Social, psychological and lifestyle influences
  4. Natural history & influence of age, genetics & environment

For the St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program training opportunity, the proposed research activities must fit with the following research environments and research areas:

• The Veterans Care Program accommodates some 300 Veterans receiving extended or respite care and the Parkwood Operational Stress Injury Clinic offers mental health services to Canadian Forces members and Veterans.
• Relevant research areas in dementia include:
  1. Treatment and interventions
  2. Health services, care delivery and environment
  3. Biomolecular basis, normal vs. abnormal changes in cognitive function
  4. Social, psychological and lifestyle influences

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.

Specific to CIHR training awards, please refer to the General Guidelines for Training Programs as well as Fellowship program description.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered for funding through this Priority Announcement.

Specific Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements specific to the Ste. Anne's Hospital - Veterans Affairs Canada training opportunity include the following:

• The proposed research project to be undertaken by the fellow must demonstrate that the primary research environment will be the Ste. Anne's Hospital.
• In addition to CIHR's regular requirement for the supervisor, the candidate must secure an on-site supervisor, unless the primary supervisor is affiliated with Ste. Anne's Hospital.
• The candidate must secure a Letter of support from Ste. Anne's Hospital (see Contact Information below).

Eligibility requirements specific to the St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program training opportunity include the following:

• The proposed research project to be undertaken by the fellow must demonstrate that the research will primarily take place through the Veterans Care Program at Parkwood Hospital, St. Joseph's Health Care London.
• The candidate must secure a Letter of support from the St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program (see Contact Information below).

Eligibility requirements specific to the Capital Care Group Inc. training opportunity include the following:

• The proposed research project to be undertaken by the fellow must demonstrate that the primary research environment will be the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Centre for Veterans.

The candidate must secure a Letter of support from the Capital Care Group Inc. for the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Centre for Veterans (see Contact Information below).

Guidelines

This funding opportunity will follow the General Guidelines for Training Programs. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of Gender and Sex-Based Analysis in applications.This encouraged approach does not contradict CIHR IA's promotion and support of research that advances the health and quality of life of older adults (generally above the age of 65). 

Allowable Costs

The awards consist of a stipend and a research allowance.

For the research allowance, awardees should review the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.

Conditions of Funding

All conditions specified in CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies shall apply to applications funded through this Funding opportunity. Conditions cover areas such as Applicant and Institutional Responsibilities, Ethics, Official languages policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial conditions prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.

In addition to CIHR standard guidelines and requirements, the following special conditions shall apply:

• One copy of all published research articles based on this Fellowship must be forwarded to each Partner on this funding opportunity.
• Awardees are expected to disseminate research findings through appropriate venues, including professional conferences and publications.
• Awardees are expected to acknowledge appropriate funding Partners in all communications regarding their award and related research activities.

For the Ste. Anne's Hospital - Veterans Affairs Canada training opportunity:

• As the primary research environment for the fellow's research must be the Ste. Anne's Hospital, this will require regular meetings with Ste. Anne's Hospital Director of Innovation, Research and Training.
• The fellow will be expected to submit an abstract and present a research poster at the Canadian Association on Gerontology Annual Scientific and Education Meeting and the Ste. Anne's Hospital Research Day.

For the Capital Care Group Inc. training opportunity:

• As the primary research environment for the fellow's research must be the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Centre for Veterans, this will require regular meetings with the Administrator of the Centre and with the Capital Care Group Senior Researcher.

For the St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program training opportunity:

• As the primary research environment for the fellow's research must be the St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program, this will require regular meetings with the Veterans Care Program Research Leader.

Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to recruit reviewers, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review.

CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this funding opportunity and all matters pertaining thereto.

While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Funding opportunity will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.

Communication Requirements

Award recipients are required to acknowledge CIHR, its institutes and partners in any communication or publication related to the project. See CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies, Public Communication and Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support for details on CIHR's communication requirements. The contributing institutes / partners will be identified on the Authorization for Funding and decision letter.

Performance Measurement

CIHR is committed to demonstrating results to Canadians for the money invested in health research. Therefore, processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation are in place. As a result, funding recipients must:

• contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits and providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results;
• encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes as required.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review

The CIHR Institute of Aging, Ste. Anne's Hospital - Veterans Affairs Canada, St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program, and Capital Care Group Inc. will deem eligible for funding only those applications that are relevant to (in alignment with) the objectives, research environments and research priority areas described in the "Objectives" section.

To conduct the relevance review, the CIHR Institute of Aging, will receive anonymized project titles and summaries prior to peer review. Ste. Anne's Hospital - Veterans Affairs Canada, St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program and the Capital Care Group Inc. will receive the same information for applicants to their respective training sites only.

The following criteria will be used in conducting the relevance review:

• Criterion #1: Extent to which the proposal addresses the Cognitive Impairment in Aging Priority Topics of the CIHR Institute of Aging;
• Criterion #2: Extent to which the proposal responds to the relevant research areas described above;
• Criterion #3: Extent to which the research and research design address issues of aging and/or the aged are essential elements of the research objectives, hypotheses and analyses (e.g., dynamics of aging, age-relevant models and/or aged subjects; uniqueness of aging or aged population).

Upon completion of peer review, the Ste. Anne's Hospital - Veterans Affairs Canada, St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program and Capital Care Group Inc. will receive the ranking list, merit scores (ratings) and recommendations of the peer review committee with regards to award term, for the applications submitted to their respective training sites that were, 1) found to be relevant to the specific objectives of their research initiative and the research priority areas/relevant research areas described under "Relevant Research Areas", and 2) rated within the CIHR fundable range. The CIHR Institute of Aging will receive the same information. The information will be used for funding decision-making purposes and will remain anonymous. Applications that receive a ranking below 3.5 will not be funded. Applications deemed relevant to this initiative, which are funded in the CIHR Fellowship competition or through this request for applications will be named "Name of respective partner-CIHR IA Veterans and Dementia Fellowship". Up to two (2) awards per research location will be offered.

The relevance review occurs apart from the peer review (scientific review) and has no relationship to the results of peer review. Peer review committees will not be informed of applications submitted for funding through this request for applications.

Peer Review

A CIHR peer review committee will evaluate the full applications. The committee may be drawn from one of CIHR's pre-existing committees or may be created specifically for this funding opportunity. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the institute(s) / portfolio(s) and partner(s), following CIHR's Policy on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest and Privacy Issues in Peer and Relevance Review (CCIP).

Evaluation Criteria

Fellowship Awards are reviewed in accordance with the Guide for Reviewers - CIHR Fellowships.

The following general criteria for evaluating training award applications will be used:

• Achievements and Activities of the Candidate
• Characteristics and Abilities of the Candidate
• Research Training Environment

How to Apply

The application process is comprised of one step: Submission of a Full Application.

Review the application instructions provided in How to Apply for Funding.

Please submit your application using CIHR Web Forms. (Updated: 2007-08-22)

Select "Fellowship" (Application) from the Training Programs Application Packages.

Additional instructions must be followed for this funding opportunity.

• In the Program(s) section of the CIHR Training Module, select "Strategic Initiative" and enter the title of this funding opportunity: "Fellowships: Veterans and Dementia" and the proposed Fellowship training opportunity (e.g., Ste. Anne's Hospital - Veterans Affairs Canada; The Capital Care Group; or St. Joseph's Health Care London) in the spaces provided.
• Complete the Applicant Consent Form for Use and Disclosure of Personal Information provided to CIHR for Peer Review, which is included in the application form.

Send the completed application package by courier to:

RE: "Fellowships"
Research Capacity Development
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9

Contact Information

For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:

Adrian Mota
Program Delivery Coordinator
Research Capacity Development Branch
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 946-0088
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: amota@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about the different training environments and their research objectives:

For the Ste. Anne's Hospital - Veterans Affairs Canada training opportunity, contact:

Maryse Savoie
Director of Innovation, Research, and Training
Veterans Affairs Canada
305 boul. des Anciens Combattants
Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
H9X 1Y9
Telephone: 514-457-3440 ext 2572
Fax: 514-457-8410
Email: maryse.savoie@vac-acc.gc.ca

For the Capital Care Group Inc. training opportunity, contact:

Doris Milke, PhD
Senior Researcher
Capital Care Group Inc.
9113 -144 Ave.
Edmonton, AB T5E 6K2
Telephone: 780-496-2579
Fax: 780-472-6699
Email: dorismilke@capitalcare.net

For the St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program training opportunity, contact:

Maggie Gibson, PhD, C. Psych
Psychologist
Veterans Care Program
Parkwood Hospital
St. Joseph's Health Care London
Telephone: 519-685-4292 x 42708
Fax: 519-685-4031
Email: maggie.gibson@sjhc.london.on.ca

For questions about the research objectives of this funding opportunity and the CIHR Institute of Aging, contact:

Linda Mealing, PhD
Assistant Director-Ottawa
CIHR Corporate Headquarters
Telephone: 613-952-4537
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: Lmealing@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Partner/Collaborator Description

Note: Additional partners/collaborators, including partners/collaborators from industry and the private sector are expected to join this funding initiative over the coming year.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is Canada's major federal funding agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.

CIHR - Institute of Aging
The CIHR Institute of Aging (IA) supports research to promote healthy aging and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. IA has identified five priority areas for research on aging and health (in no particular order): healthy and successful aging, biological mechanisms of aging, cognitive impairment in aging, aging and maintenance of functional autonomy, and health services and policy relating to older people.

Partners

Veterans Affairs Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada provides exemplary, client-centred services and benefits that respond to the needs of veterans, our other clients and their families, in recognition of their services to Canada; and to keep the memory of their achievements and sacrifices alive for all Canadians.

Ste. Anne's Hospital
St-Anne's Hospital is dedicated to offering Veterans and eligible civilians a wide range of programs and a continuum of high quality care and services.

The Hospital accommodates some 430 Veterans receiving extended or respite care. A newly built pavilion of 116 beds is dedicated to the residents suffering from dementia. The Day Centre offers support services to about 200 Veterans still living in their community. Also the Ste. Anne's Centre offers mental health services to Canadian Forces members and Veterans.

As part of its on-going quest for excellence, the Hospital has created a Multidiscplinary Scientific Research Council. The Council reports to the Hospital's senior administration and is an integral part of the Hospital's structure and functioning.

The goal of research at Ste. Anne's Hospital is to contribute to bridging the gap between research and clinical practice in the domains of gerontology and mental health. Relevant research areas include:

1. Prevention

• Social and psychological factors that contribute to dementia and its progression;
• Causal and risk factors of dementia.

2. Dementia and other disorders

• The relationship between personality disorders and dementia;
• The relationship between post traumatic stress and dementia;
• Neuropsychological testing in differential diagnosis, and in diagnosing, screening and following patients.

3. Treatment and Interventions

• Non-pharmacological approaches;
• Novel and alternative therapies;
• Effect of exercise on mood and dysfunctional behaviours.

4. Health services, care delivery and environment

• Nutrition, dysphagia and dietetics in dementia care;
• Health services organizational structures and processes;
• Health care delivery models and approaches such as "Milieu de vie" and "prosthetic";
• Impact of patient relocation;
• Impact of family involvement and relationships;
• Quality of life indicators;
• Ethical issues: end-of-life care, intensity of care, substitute decision-making.

St. Joseph's Health Care London Veterans Care Program
St. Joseph's Health Care London serves the residents of London and Southwestern Ontario and the Veterans of Canada. This health care organization encompasses St. Joseph's Hospital, Parkwood Hospital and Regional Mental Health Care London and St. Thomas and is a major teaching and research centre affiliated with the University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College.

The Veterans Care Program, located at Parkwood Hospital, St. Joseph's, is dedicated to offering Veterans and eligible civilians a wide range of programs and a continuum of high quality care and services.

The Veterans Care Program accommodates some 300 Veterans receiving extended or respite care and the Parkwood Operational Stress Injury Clinic offers mental health services to Canadian Forces members and Veterans.

Research at St. Joseph's is conducted under the auspices of the Lawson Health Research Institute (Lawson). The Lawson is one of the largest hospital-based research institutes in Canada. Veterans Care Program research is affiliated with the Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care Program of the Lawson.

The goal of research in the Veterans Care Program at Parkwood Hospital is to contribute to bridging the gap between research and clinical practice in the domains of gerontology and mental health. Relevant research areas include:

1. Biomolecular basis, normal vs. abnormal changes in cognitive function

• Progression of brain changes occurring with mild cognitive impairment and dementia;
• Response of the brain to new study compounds;
• Investigations involving clinical parameters, neuroimaging, neuropsychology and longitudinal follow-up.

2. Social, psychological and lifestyle influences

• Experiential aspects of dementia;
• Determinants of health including the built environment, and socio-cultural factors (e.g., gender, age, cohort [including veteran status]);
• Resilience, adjustment and compensatory strategies associated with major life transitions (dementia diagnosis, institutionalization, death and dying).

3. Treatment and interventions

• Evidence-based assessment and treatment of dementia in context of comorbidity (e.g., comorbid depression, delirium, pain, sleep disorders, frailty, end-of-life care);
• Implementation of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines;
• Identification of patient-centred, clinically-significant outcomes.

4. Health services, care delivery and environment

• Knowledge translation research related to the following areas:
  1. Application of the interRAI (Resident Assessment Instrument) suite of assessment instruments to inform clinical practice and policy;
  2. Implementation and sustainability of practice change in health settings;
  3. Translation of research evidence into policy decisions.

Capital Care Group Inc.
Capital Care Group Inc. has an established reputation in the research field. It has one of the premier continuing care research units in the country, led by a senior researcher. Applied research has been sponsored for a decade through an Alzheimer Care Research Grant. A new Foundation Research Grant is also offered. The research theme is "to enhance the quality of life for residents, staff, and families/friends." In the last 10 years, Capital Care Group's 11 sites have hosted more than 100 research projects conducted by university-based researchers.

The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Centre for Veterans
The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Centre for Veterans, operated by Capital Care Group Inc., is dedicated to offering Veterans and eligible civilians a wide range of programs and a continuum of high quality care and services. Female veterans and spouses of veterans who require continuing care can be accommodated.

The Centre accommodates some 120 Veterans receiving continuing care (round-the-clock nursing care); the main floor was specially designed for persons with Alzheimer disease and other dementias; the second floor serves medically-fragile and self-directed residents; and its Day Centre area offers support services to Veterans, and others, still living in the community. The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Centre for Veterans has a residential model of care, thus the eight "houses" each have a kitchen and dining room, all bedrooms are single occupancy, and staff are multi-skilled. As an "Eden Alternative" site, the environment is enriched for residents, staff, families and the community; the YMCA operates a children's day care in the centre as part of this enrichment. Relevant research areas include:

1. Social, psychological and lifestyle influences

• Experiential aspects of dementia;
• Determinants of health including the built environment, and socio-cultural factors (e.g., gender, age, cohort [including veteran status]);
• Resilience, adjustment and compensatory strategies associated with major life transitions (dementia diagnosis, institutionalization, death and dying).

2. Natural history and influence of age, genetics and environment

• Environmental features, both physical and social, that prevent excess disability, preserve function, enhance residents' quality of life;
• Quality of staff work-life (including human factors and safety concerns with supporting technology, wireless nurse call and notification devices);
• Applied research on observed behavioural responses (e.g., effects of therapeutic interventions including Montessori-based programs, environmental change, medication changes, etc. throughout continuing care, from adult day care to end-of-life).

3. Treatment and interventions

• Applied research on observed behavioural responses (e.g., effects of therapeutic interventions including Montessori-based programs, environmental change, medication changes, etc. throughout continuing care, from adult day care to end-of-life);
• Implementation of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines;
• Identification of patient-centred, clinically-significant outcomes.

4. Health services, care delivery and environment

• Nutrition, dysphasia and dietetics in dementia care;
• Impact of family involvement and relationships;
• Knowledge translation research related to the following areas:
1. Application of the interRAI (Resident Assessment Instrument) suite of assessment instruments to inform clinical practice and policy;
2. Implementation and sustainability of practice change in health settings;
3. Translation of research evidence into policy decisions.