Cultural Safety in Cognitive Testing and Dementia Case-Finding for Older First Nations Adults

Presenter(s):

Megan O’Connell, B.A. Hon., M.A., Ph.D., R.D. Psych.

Dr. O’Connell is a graduate of the University of Victoria, Clinical Neuropsychology program. She is a Registered Psychologist with both the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists and the Canadian Psychological Association, and a professor in the Department of Psychology and Health Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Her clinical work includes neuropsychology assessment and interventions, and her research emphasis is on individuals and families struggling with a dementia diagnosis. Dr. O’Connell’s current programs of research include neuropsychological measurement relevant to dementia, evaluation of telehealth for caregiver support, and cognitive rehabilitation. As well, Dr. O’Connell received tri-agency research funding for work related to the COVID-19 pandemic and is co-Principal Investigator of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging, Team 15


 

Jennifer Walker, PhD, Associate Professor

Jennifer Walker is a Haudenosaunee member of Six Nations of the Grand River with a Ph.D. in community health sciences (epidemiology) from the University of Calgary. She is an associate professor at McMaster University in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, & Impact and the Research Hub Lead of the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge. Dr. Walker’s work focuses largely on Indigenous community-engaged health research using large health services databases through her work as a core scientist and Indigenous Health lead at ICES in Ontario and through the Health Data Research Network Canada. Dr. Walker has an active research community-engaged research program in aging and dementia. She is the co-lead of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging’s (CCNA) Team 18 – Issues in Dementia Care for Indigenous Populations and the lead for the Indigenous Cognitive Health Program. She has also led the validation of the Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment tool and the implementation of the tool in Anishinabek communities of Northern Ontario.

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