Our group is internationally renowned for developing and validating innovative approaches to the pain assessment of older persons who present with dementias and serious limitations in ability to communicate.
As an example, the Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate (PACSLAC), developed in the lab, has been translated in several languages and has been used around the world. As a second example, knowledge translation work has involved the development of a pain self-management program for seniors which has been made available through the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).
This work is presented in a book published by IASP. We have also studied cognitive behavioural pain management interventions for older persons. Members of this cluster have been successful in attracting several million dollars of research funding in recent years.
Thomas Hadjistavropoulos, Ph.D., ABPP, FCAHS, Department of Psychology, University of Regina
Michelle Gagnon, Ph.D. University of Saskatchewan
Natasha Gallant, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina
Abigail Wickson-Griffiths, Ph.D, Faculty of Nursing, University of Regina
Kylie Arsenault, Psychology
Louise Castillo, Psychology
Andy McLennan, Psychology
Rhonda Stopyn, Psychology
Vivian Tran, Psychology
Emily Winters, Psychology
Hadjistavropoulos, T. & Makris, U.E. (2022). Pain evaluation and management in patients with limited ability to communicate because of dementia. In H. T. Benzon, J. P. Rathmell, C. L. Wu, D.C. Turk, C.E. Argoff, R. Hurley, and A. L. Nicol (Editors), Practical management of pain (6th Edition), pp. 1052-1058, Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.
Castillo, L. I. R., Hadjistavropoulos, T., & Brachaniec, M. (2021). The effectiveness of social media in the dissemination of knowledge about pain in dementia. Pain Medicine. 22, 2584–2596.
Guliani, H., Hadjistavropoulos, T., Jin, S. & Lix, L.M. (2021). Pain-related health care costs for long-term care residents. BMC Geriatrics, 552 (221). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02424-
Stopyn, R., Hadjistavropoulos, T., & Loucks, J. (2021). An eye tracking investigation of pain decoding based on older and younger adults’ facial expressions. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 45, 31-52.
For more information, contact Cluster Leader Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos at Thomas.Hadjistavropoulos@uregina.ca
The CAH 2025-2026 Distinguished Public Lecture, "Don't Panic! It's Just Aging." with Dr. Sally Chivers of Trent University, is now available on our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/rlf6kdKWszk
Our screening & panel discussion last night had an engaged audience as panelists discussed dementia care, opportunities & challenges.
Thanks to panelists @AlzheimerSK CEO Kaleta Strain, Santa Maria Exec Dir Kelly Chessie, and caregiver Don Ross for their time & valuable insights
Over 100 people attended the @UofRAgingCentre panel discussion on whether Canada can do better with dementia care. Thanks to the panelists Strain, Kelly Chessie and Don Ross.
TOMORROW!
Join us for "Dementia Care in Canada: Can We Do Better?", a public screening of documentary-style news segments on dementia and innovations long-term care, followed by a panel discussion and Q & A.
Thurs., March 19, 2026
6:30pm
Education Auditorium
Main U of R Campus
The U of R's Centre on Aging and Health will host, "Dementia Care in Canada: Can We Do Better?" for Brain Awareness Week on Thurs March 19 at 6:30pm!
Screening of documentary-style segments on dementia and innovations in long-term care, followed by a panel discussion with Q & A.
Education Auditorium
Main U of R Campus
Open to the Public. Free admission.
Free parking evenings after 5PM (in all surface Public, M and Z parking lots). Parking lots 3, 6 & 2 recommended (accessible parking available with permit). Time limits on parking apply (where signed).
Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for the 2025-2026 Distinguished Public Lecture, "Don't Panic! It's Just Aging" with Dr. Sally Chivers of Trent University!
