2015/16
MSc research team: Jillian McGivern, Kyle Dwyer, Jodie Lawlor, Emma Pagotto, Marie-Claire Flores-Pajot
Thesis Project: Topic on Nutrition and Health to be announced Fall 2015.
Co-supervised with Dr. Edana Cassol, Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University.
2014/15
MSc research team: Lisa Carroll, Jessca Chippior, Shazya Karmali, Deepika Sriram.
Research Topic: Informal caregiver experiences and their use of support services in rural Ontario.
Co-supervised with Dr. Renate Ysseldyk, Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University.
Abstract: Informal caregiving for an aging parent, disabled adult child, or a friend with a chronic illness has unique challenges in rural communities. To address some of these challenges, we collaborated with the Almonte General Hospital, the Mills Community Support and the Hub Hospice Palliative Care. Using focus groups and an online survey, we explored the social factors and practical needs that affect the lives of informal caregivers in and around Almonte, Ontario. Our participants highlighted their commitment to their community, their need for accessible caregiving resources, and the impact of informal caregiving on their physical and psychological health, finances, and social identity. To translate our research into a tangible tool for informal caregivers, we designed a comprehensive listing of caregiving resources available in the Almonte area. This research has been submitted for presentation at a national gerontology conference and a manuscript is in preparation for publication.
MSc research team: Rima Kandar, Kathryn Crabbe, Owen McMorris, Elena Milicevic.
Research Topic: There’s no place like Fairview: the relationship between the social identity of staff/volunteers and the social engagement of residents.
Co-supervised with Dr. Renate Ysseldyk, Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University.
Abstract: When seniors make the transition to a long-term care (LTC) facility, they must adapt to new people, activities, schedules, and environments. In such circumstances, those who often have a primary impact on seniors’ well-being are LTC staff and volunteers. In order to consider potential relationships between the social engagement of residents, the well-being of staff and volunteers, and the role of the built environment itself, we partnered with the Almonte General Hospital and its complex chronic care facility, Fairview Manor. We observed that staff and volunteers’ self-conceptions were firmly grounded in their commitment to the residents, and to Fairview Manor as an organization. Indeed, a common sentiment described Fairview Manor as a circle of care that creates a home-like environment rather than a LTC facility, positively influencing the well-being of residents and staff alike.
2013/14
MSc research team: Millesha Charles, Michael Elliott, Anne Middleton, Jordan Miller, Kelsey Scharf.
Research Topic: Motivation and food choices of young active adults after physical activity.
Co-supervised with Dr. Kim Matheson, Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University.
Abstract: Our project assessed the influence of physical activity on the post-exercise food choices of young active adults. We collaborated with the Health Promotion team of Ottawa Public Health. We collected data, from Carleton University students aged 17 to 29, on the type, frequency, and intensity of physical activity and its context (social versus non-social). We also collected data on the participants’ food choices after physical activity and classified them as healthy, neutral, or unhealthy based on Canada’s Food Guide. Our results suggest that participation in physical activity is associated with healthy and neutral food choices, but does not decrease the incidence of unhealthy choices. These observations illustrate the need for effective instructional messages, targeting specific audiences, to promote healthy nutrition.