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Abstract

This research has three objectives: 1. Use oral narratives of caregivers to determine what improvements can be made such as continuity of care 2. Collaborate with caregivers to develop workshops and resource materials to empower Indigenous caregivers as advocates navigating the healthcare system and 3. Share results with healthcare providers to educate them on what improvements they can make to provide culturally safe care and support. My research is an original contribution since no research exists focused on ADOD and the experiences of female caregivers using a non-biomedical approach. This research is distinct because it is community based and collaborates with health organizations in Southwestern Ontario. ADOD is found to be more common amongst Indigenous populations and affects more men than women (Hulko et al, 2010, Pollitt, 1997, Radford et al., 2015). Caregivers have a higher risk of depression and illness as they try to manage their shifted roles and identities for caring for a loved one (Mat�¨, 2012:176; Leibing and Cohen, 2006:45; Lipton and Marshall, 2013:61) especially since most who take on the role are women (Hughes, Louw and Sabat, 2012:5). My research works with caregivers to improve their quality of life, since the health and well-being of the caregiver is paramount to the quality of life of their loved ones.

Biography

Danielle Alcock is Anishanaabe and a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. She is a PhD candidate at Western University in the department of Anthropology. Danielle’s research is sociocultural focused on story telling, Indigenous methodologies and community partnership. She is a doctoral recipient of the Alzheimer’s Society Research Program Scholarship for 2016-2019.