Areas of Research

• Stroke
  Stroke survivors commonly have limitations in their abilities to perform activities of daily living on return to the community. Family caregivers provide invaluable support to these individuals during their recovery, rehabilitation, and community re-integration. Unfortunately, there is no standard clinical practice to prepare caregivers for this role and, as a result, many experience stress and poor health that can compromise stroke survivor recovery and threaten the sustainability of the care needed to thrive in their home. Our research focuses on supporting family members of stroke patients as they move through the hospital and on towards life in the community. We have developed the Timing it Right Stroke Family Support Program to guide the appropriate timing of specific types of education and support to meet the evolving needs of caregivers.
  
  
• Critical Illness
  Advances in critical care medicine have resulted in an increase in survival of critically ill patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation on the intensive care unit (ICU). These survivors are at risk for illness and poor quality of life after leaving the ICU. About 57% of ICU survivors continue to require the assistance of a family caregiver one year after their critical illness. Our research aims to understand the needs of ICU survivors and their family members as they progress in their recovery, and develop a program of support post-ICU to help the family return to their valued life activities.
  
  
• Mental Health
  Caregiving can have both negative and positive impacts on one's mental health. Our research aims to understand how caregivers can be supported in order to reduce negative outcomes and increase a caregiver's mental health and emotional well-being.
  
  
• Aging Population
  An increase in Canada's aging population means that more and more elderly people will require care from their family members, including spouses and adult children. Our research aims to provide support to a variety of caregivers so that they can help their loved one age with dignity at home, while maintaining a balance in their work and social activities.
  
  
• Heart Failure
  
  
• Advanced Cancer