Indigenous Inclusion in the Canadian Therapeutic Platform Trial for Multidomain Interventions to Prevent Dementia (CAN Thumbs Up)

The research centres upon the Canadian Therapeutic Platform Trial for Multidomain Interventions to Prevent Dementia (CAN Thumbs Up, or CTU). CTU is Canada’s largest national dementia research initiative, evaluating the effectiveness of a web-based multimodal program (that features psychoeducation modules, lifestyle modification modules, pharmaceutical methods when needed, etc.) in preventing dementia among at-risk older adults. The postdoctoral research will focus on developing an Indigenous adaptation of CTU modules and methods to ensure culturally safe inclusion of Indigenous older adults living remotely (e.g., in rural areas); participants who self-identify as Indigenous will have access to these modules and methods. Through results of CTU, the team aims to develop evidence-based dementia prevention strategies that can be implemented as part of public policy within the next 10 years.