Team Research: We’ve Revamped Our Research Clusters

The Centre on Aging and Health (CAH) is pleased to announce that we have approved two new research clusters and updated another. Dr. John Barden of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies will lead the new Musculoskeletal Health and Mobility Cluster, which will direct and focus research efforts pertaining to healthy aging and mobility, particularly as this relates to movement, exercise, recreation, nutrition, and falls prevention. The cluster features researchers from the University of Regina Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies and Faculty of Arts.

Another new cluster is the Personhood and Resilience in Senior Care Cluster. As an example of its work, this cluster will focus on health providers’ beliefs about personhood in advanced dementia and how these beliefs affect care and quality of life of patients with dementia. The cluster researchers have also shown that resilience, a positive response to challenging circumstances, is associated with higher quality of care and more positive beliefs about dementia patients. This cluster is led by Dr. David Malloy, Vice-President (Research), and Professor of Ethics and Philosophy, Kinesiology and Health Studies. This cluster is based on a collaboration between University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan researchers.

The Aboriginal Health and Aging Cluster updated its vision and purpose. Dr. Carrie Bourassa, FRSC, Department of Indigenous Education, Health and Social Work, First Nations University of Canada, leads the cluster whose goals include enabling and guiding culturally competent research on aging and health that will benefit Aboriginal communities. The cluster will also focus on improving possibilities for holistic aging and health by supporting the implementation of traditional Aboriginal best health practices. The cluster has members from First Nations University of Canada, Luther College, the Canadian Virtual Hospice, as well as the Five Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council.

In addition to these three updated or new clusters, the CAH operates the Pain in Old Age Cluster, led by Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos, ABPP, FCAHS, Research Chair in Aging and Health and Professor of Psychology. This cluster 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.

The CAH encourages those working in aging and health research to consider developing new clusters, as the CAH can help develop and promote these  collaborations and their results and achievements through our website, newsletter, Twitter account, and other avenues. We also allow cluster members access to our research participant directory and we offer a small grants program, which helps fund  pilot projects or other work aimed to lead to the preparation of a major national application in the area of health and aging.

For more information on these research clusters, please visit: Our Research Clusters.

If you are interested in proposing a new cluster, please contact CAH Director, Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos: Thomas.Hadjistavropoulos@uregina.ca