Federal funding boosts dementia research at University of Regina
The Government of Canada has allocated over $4.4 million to University of Regina scholars, including $600,000 to Dr. Natasha Gallant, awarded a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Aging and Long-Term Care. Gallant's research will focus on reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults to prevent or delay dementia.
“Research indicates that reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults may prevent or delay dementia, making this a promising strategy for mitigating the disease's prevalence,” says Gallant, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Regina.
Gallant received $600,000 over five years to support her research.
Her CRC program will focus on studying older adults, both with and without dementia, who experience social isolation and loneliness and develop strategies to enhance their social connections. Gallant is also establishing the Aging, Residents, and Caregivers (ARC) Living Lab with additional funding of $79,927 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund for necessary infrastructure and technology.
Age is the primary risk factor for developing dementia. With Canada's aging population, dementia cases are expected to rise significantly. Currently, over half a million Canadians aged 65 and older live with dementia, a number projected to exceed one million in the next decade.
"My research program aims to reduce the detrimental impact of dementia within our population," says Gallant. "I will also provide exceptional opportunities for students and trainees to enhance their research-related knowledge, skills, and expertise in aging and long-term care, preparing the next generation of researchers to meet Canadians' needs well into the future."
Dr. Chris Yost, U of R Vice-President (Research), underscores the importance of the government’s support. “Thanks to this federal funding, our researchers are able to address critical issues and significant problems affecting people and the environment,” says Yost. “The impact of our research has the potential to extend far beyond the University and to improve the lives of Canadians and others around the world.”
See Backgrounder for additional researchers who received funding.
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2024 marks our 50th anniversary as an independent University (although our roots as Regina College date back more than a century!). As we celebrate our past, we work towards a future that is as limitless as the prairie horizon. We support the health and well-being of our 16,700 students and provide them with hands-on learning opportunities to develop career-ready graduates – more than 90,000 alumni enrich communities in Saskatchewan and around the globe. Our research enterprise has grown to include 21 research centres and 12 Canada Research Chairs. Our campuses are on Treaties 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. We seek to grow our relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future.
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