History | About | Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program

Ken receives Order of Canada from Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson

1992

Mr. Ken Murray's personal experience as a caregiver (i.e., partner in care) to his wife Helen leads to discussions with the dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo

1993

Mr. Murray makes a generous personal contribution and pledges to raise $400,000 to support a research and education initiative that would ensure research gets translated into practice and would enable optimal care of persons with Alzheimer Disease or a related dementia

Alzheimer Research and Education Project (AREP) launched in May. One staff person hired (Ph.D. level)

Comprehensive literature review conducted; site visits to 40 long-term care facilities; interviews with key persons in the long-term care field, family partners in care and persons wtih early Alzheimer Disease conducted

1994

Delphi panel study conducted to identify key factors associated with quality of care of persons with dementia living in long-term care settings

Preparation of the Alzheimer Annotated Bibliography and the Alzheimer Resource Manual (products based on research completed)

Survey of all 17 long-term care facilities in the Ottawa region to identify issues that influenced care of residents with dementia

1995

Distribution of the Alzheimer Resource Manual; all licensed nursing homes and homes for the aged received a complimentary copy; all Alzheimer Chapters received a complimentary copy

Receipt of a grant for $20,000 to conduct an evaluation study of the impact of the Alzheimer Resource Manual; results of study indicated Manual was relied upon for information and guidance

Research Associate hired (Master's level); updates to Manual begun and made available by subscription

1996

First annual design conference held in May; gathered together architects, owners, administrators, nursing staff, policy makers and families

Innovation Centre concept launched - long-term care facilities invited to apply - 3 were in place by December of that year (Homewood, Winston Park, Marianhill)

1997

Two more Innovation Centres come on board (Linhaven, Kennedy Lodge)

Second annual "Designs for Quality of Life" Conference held

Alzheimer Innovations, a MAREP newsletter for managers and administrators of long-term care settings, made available by subscription

1998

Research studies and education seminars ongoing at the Innovation Centres

Co-op students hired to help carry out projects at the Innovation Centres

Third annual Designs for Quality of Life Conference

First edition of Alzheimer Manual sold out; work underway for second, updated edition

One Innovation Centre departs while two more come on board (Woods Park, Meadow Park); MAREP asked to join the round table for development of the Ontario Alzheimer Strategy

AREP becomes Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) - named to honour Ken Murray in recognition of his generosity, commitment, and vision

1999

As part of the Ontario Alzheimer Strategy, MAREP in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, present the "Designs for Quality of Life" Conference in Toronto

2000

As part of the Ontario Alzheimer Strategy, a second design conference is presented in Toronto titled "Designs for Dementia Care: Components of the Total Environment"

Also, as part of the Ontario Alzheimer Strategy (Initiative #6), Phase I of the Research on Caregiver Needs begins. The project is a partnership of MAREP, Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Caregivers' Association of Ontario

2001

An Associate Director of Education and Administration hired (M.Ed.)

A professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies takes on the role of Associate Director of Research for MAREP

Phase II of the Research on the Needs of Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer Disease or a related dementia and Community Support Services begins. The project is conducted by MAREP in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Caregivers' Association of Ontario as part of the Ontario Alzheimer Strategy

As part of the Ontario Alzheimer Strategy, a third design conference is held in Toronto titled "Designs for Dementia: Integrating Systems of Care"

Study done by Bryan Smale and Sherry Dupuis examining the extent and nature of the Community Access Leisure Programmes in long-term care facilities across Ontario

2002

As part of the Ontario Alzheimer Strategy, a fourth conference is held in Toronto titled "Designing for Diversity in Dementia Care"

First issue of quarterly newsletter, "Innovations: Enhancing Abilities in Dementia Care", is published

2003

Horticulture & Complementary Therapies conference is held at the University of Waterloo Conference Centre in May

2004

In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Dementia Advocacy Support Network International, the first Changing Melody Forum is held titled "A Changing Melody: A Learning and Sharing Forum for Persons with Dementia and Their Partners in Care", Royal York Hotel, Toronto, November 6

2005

MAREP presented "I'm Still Here", a research based play that presents a realistic portrayal of the experience of dementia from the perspectives of those living with dementia and their families. It was performed by actors from ACT II Studio at Ryerson University at Luther Village, Waterloo. Proceeds will be used for the eventual videotaping of the play

MAREP named as a major division of the new RBJ Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), a joint venture between the Village of Winston Park and the University of Waterloo

In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Dementia Advocacy Support Network International, the second Changing Melody Forum is held titled "A Changing Melody: A Learning and Sharing Forum for Persons with Early-stage Dementia and their Partners in Care", 89 Chestnut Street, Toronto, November 12

2006

MAREP released a number of new education tools: Dementia Care Education Series CD-ROM; I'm Still Here Research-based Drama in DVD format and accompanying Learning-Teaching Guide; Changing Melody Forum 2005 DVD; Managing and Accommodating Responsive Behaviours in Dementia Care

The first in a series of five By Us For Us guides, created by a group of talented and passionate persons with dementia, is released. Entitled "Memory Workout", the guide provides examples of cognitive exercises and it encourages persons with dementia to develop and maintain regular "workouts" for the brain so as to function better while engaging in enjoyable activities.

In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Dementia Advocacy Support Network International, the third Changing Melody Forum is held titled "A Changing Melody: A Learning and Sharing Forum for Persons with Early stage Dementia and Their Partners in Care", Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, November 5

2007

In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Dementia Advocacy Support Network International, the fourth A Changing Melody Forum is held titled "A Changing Melody: A Learning and Sharing Forum for Persons with Early stage Dementia and Their Partners in Care", 89 Chestnut, Toronto, November 17

The second and third By Us For Us guides, in the series of 5, are created and made available to the public. "Managing Triggers" and "Enhancing Communication" are the focus of the new guides, developed by persons with dementia for persons with dementia

2008

In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, local Alzheimer chapters, and the Dementia Advocacy and Support Network International, the fifth and final A Changing Melody forum is held titled "A Changing Melody: A Learning and Sharing Forum for Persons with Early stage Dementia and their Partners in Care", at 89 Chestnut, Toronto, on November 15.

MAREP launches a new era by releasing the A Changing Melody tool-kit designed to help local communities come together with persons with dementia and their families in the planning and implementation of regional Changing Melody forums.

The fourth and fifth By Us For Us guides are created and made available to the public. "Ehancing Wellness" and "Tips and Strategies" are the focus of the new guides, developed by persons with dementia for persons with dementia.

2009

The sixth By Us For Us guide was created and made available to the public. "Living and Transforming with Loss & Grief" is the focus of the new guide, developed by persons with dementia and their family partners in care.

Founder, Ken Murray, celebrates his 85th birthday. A new award, "The Kenneth G. Murray Partnership in Dementia Award" was created in his honour. This award will be presented annual, and in its inaugural year was presented to two recipients, Brenda Hounam, a person living with dementia, and Ken Hancock, a partner in care.

2010

On February 4, 2010 at The Village of Winston Park in Kitchener, Ontario, The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced funding for the new Partnerships in Dementia Care Alliance (PiDC), a new research initiative to help improve care for people with dementia. Co-led by Dr. Sherry Dupuis of MAREP/University of Waterloo and Dr. Carrie McAiney of McMaster University, the funding for this project comprises of $999,347 over five years from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) in the form of a Community-University Research Alliances (CURA) grant.

On June 10, 2010, at Waterloo's Memorial Recreation Complex, MAREP and the City of Waterloo jointly hosted a public event to launch a new web-based planning initiative - the Age Friendly Communities tool. This new tool, developed by MAREP and several community partners, outlines how to build communities that are sensitive to the needs of older adults.