Alison Phinney

Area of Research Research Interests My research takes a broad view of health to identify the capacities of older people for successfully coping with the functional consequences of aging and disease. I am exploring what can be done in partnership with families and communities to support the health and well-being of older people both within and outside the traditional health care system. Much of my work has focused on people who are living with neurocognitive impairment (e.g. Alzheimer disease). Using qualitative methods, I have advanced understanding of how people with dementia and their families experience the impact of cognitive impairment on everyday life, how people with dementia cope through involvement in meaningful activity, and the role that families and communities play in supporting them. My current research takes a community-engaged participatory approach to address issues of social citizenship in dementia, promoting inclusion and reducing stigma. Current Projects Dementia in the Outdoors: Exploring the Mechanisms of Engagement, E. Weirsma & B. Heibein (Co-Principal Investigators) with A. Phinney, S. Canning, A. Pritchard, A. Sara, P. Lindsay, N. Sutherland, M. Sakamoto, CIHR Project Grant (2024-2027) Centring the Lived Experience of Dementia in Policy, Practice, and Community Development, A. Phinney (PI-Canada) with E. Wiersma (co-investigator), R. Ward (PI-UK), and R. Gronemeyer (PI-Germany). SSHRC ORA (2023-2026). Revolutionizing Dementia Care Transition through the Learning Health System (LHS) model at Vancouver Coastal Health, L. Hung, K. Vaharhelyi (Co-Principal Investigators), wtih A. Phinney, J. Mann, L. Jackson, L. Benning, N. MacGowan, D. Connelly, H. Ren, A. Rutherford, K. Wong, M. Yous, CIHR Operating Grant (2024-2027) Building Age and Dementia Curriculum to Address Ageism and Support Development of Meaningful Intergenerational Connections, S. Canning & E. St-Martin (Co-Principal Investigators) with A. Phinney, C. Couse, M. Jones, P.Juulsen, J. Mann, C. McFadden, L. Moore, M. Gelowitz, P. Riddell, M. Sakamoto, MSHRBC C2 Team Grant (2024-2026) Extending the Reach of the Flipping Stigma on its Ear Toolkit: Translating and Transforming the Toolkit for the Chinese Community, M. Sakamoto & K. Wong (Co-Principal Investigators) with A. Phinney, Mann, D. O’Connor, C. Lai, L. Wong, L. Jackson, S. Pineda, MSHRBC Reach Team Grant (2024-2026) Promoting Health Equity Among People Living with Dementia and Care Partners in Ethno-racial Communities: Co-Designing Quality of Life Supports. L. Middleton, P. Baxter, J. Bethell, N. Iroanyah, C. Mah, M. Parry, M. Sakamoto, M. Savundranayagam, I. Waldron, K. Wong, ML. Yous (Co-Principal Investigators) with A. Phinney, J. Baumbusch, A. Cammer, W. Chan, B. Heibein, H. Cooke, P. Fehr, A. Fiocco, S. Fraser, L. Hung, G. Liu, T. Liu-Ambrose, H. O’Rourke, M. O’Connell, S. Wu, K., Meyers, P. Roach, J. Walker. CIHR Team Grant, Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) Phase III (2025-2029) The Memory Collective: Engaging Lives, Enriching Community, A. Phinney & E. Ertan (Co-PIs), UBC Community University Engagement Support 2026-2027. Staging Aging: Experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ Older Adults, Henderson, J. & Hurd, L. (Co-PIs) and Phinney, A. Hoppman, C; Cooke, C. UBC Centre for Healthy Aging Catalyst Grant, 2026-2028. Dementia Inclusion Community of Practice Network – Planning Next Steps for Building Capacity A. Phinney & T. Lopes (Co-Principal Investigators). Health Research BC, 2026-2027 Completed Projects Engagement and Citizenship in Nursing Homes S. Novek (Principal Investigator) with A. Phinney, G. Thompson, L. Funk, M. Shariff, H. Cooke. SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2023-2025) 2023 Tour: COVID in the House of Old, M. Davies (PI), A. Phinney, M. Porter, R. Compton, E. Dyck, E. Tungohan. SSHRC Connection Grant (2023-2024) Flipping Stigma in Dementia: Adapting a Toolkit for Primary Care, A. Phinney (PI), J. Mann, M. Sakamoto, G. Puurveen, E. Wiersma, E. Moody, H. Chaudhury. CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grant, (2023-2024). Developing Supportive Neighbourhood Built Environment to Foster Mobility, Engagement and Social Participation among Community-dwelling Adults Living with Dementia. L. Hung & H. Chaudhury (Co-Principal Investigators), with A. Phinney & S. Freeman (Co-Investigators). Public Health Agency of Canada (2021-2023). Putting Social Citizenship into Practice: Reducing Stigma and Promoting Social Inclusion of People with Dementia. A. Phinney (Principal Investigator), J. Mann & D. O’Connor (co-PIs) with E. Wiersma & H. Chaudhury (Co-Investigators). Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2018-2023). Building Capacity for Meaningful Participation by People Living with Dementia. A. Phinney (Principal Investigator) & E. Wiersma (co-PI), with Northwest Dementia Working Group and Westside Seniors Hub (community partners). Public Health Agency of Canada (2019-2025). Primary Healthcare for People with Dementia: Exploring Care Provided by Collaborative Family Practice Teams. E. Moody (Principal Investigator) with A. Phinney, R. Martin-Misener, G. Warner, E. Marshall, S. Savage, C. Smith, K. Aubrecht, L. Hung (Co-Investigators), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2021-2022). Do you really know what I want? Voices of people with dementia in shared decision-making about living well with dementia to the end of life. S. Cox & G. Puurveen (Co-Principal Investigators) with A. Phinney, C. Courneva, D. O’Connor, L. Burnside (Co-Investigators). Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2018-2022). Implementation of the “one high risk site only” policy—its impact on staff, family and long-term care residents. J. Sims-Gould & F. Havaei (Co-Principal Investigators) with A. Phinney, L. Hung, M. Macphee, S. Robinovitch, H. McKay, et al. (Co-Investigators), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2021-2022). Evaluation of rapid redesign and resource redeployment in Long-Term Care during COVID-19. F. Havaei (Principal Investigator), with A. Phinney, M. Macphee, D. Keselman (Co-Investigators), Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, (2020-2021). ‘What Matters’: A Digital Solution to Support Person-Centred Care for People with Dementia in Care Settings. L. Hung (Principal Investigator) with A. Phinney, L. Currie, H. Chaudhury, A. Lim, J. Boger, C. Rayber. (Co-Investigators), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2021-2022). Developing CIRCA-CA to Support Conversations with People with Dementia. A. Astelle (PI). with A. Phinney, J. Boger, R. McAloney, M. McConnell, B. Purves, et al. (Co-Investigators), Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation Spark Program. (2021-2022). Dementia Friendly Communities: Development of a Research Agenda. A. Phinney & L. Hung (Co-Principal Investigators). Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (2019-2021) Zeitgeist: Utilizing Intergenerational Co-Design and Storytelling as a New Model for Therapeutic Recreation in Long Term Care Facilities. D. Levi (Principal Investigator), with A. Phinney, C. Rayber, J. Hannan (Co-Investigators). Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation Spark Program. (2018-2019) Citizenship Across Borders: UBC-UW Dementia Collaborative for Supporting Social Citizenship. UBC Collaborative Research Mobility Award, A. Phinney & G. Puurveen (Co-Principal Investigators) with L. Burnside (Co-Investigator). Shape the Path: Targeting the Health and Mobility of Older Men through Key Community Partnerships. H. McKay, M. Hermann, J. Sims-Gould (Co-Principal Investigators), with A. Phinney, D. Mackey, S. Rabinovitch (Project leads), and C. Hoppman, A. Lang, K. Miran-Khan, M. Winters (Co-Investigators). Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2014-2019). Making Art for Making Place: The Effect of Visual Art in a Transitional Care Setting. A. Phinney (Principal Investigator) with L. Mackenzie, M. Wilson (Co-Investigators). UBC Hampton Fund (2014-2015). Promoting Social Citizenship for People with Dementia through Community-Based Programming. A. Phinney (Principal Investigator) with J. Baumbusch, D. O’Connor, B. Purves. Alzheimer Society of Canada (2014-2016). A Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Music Therapy in the Out-Patient Care of Moderate Alzheimer Disease. Robin Hsuing (Principal Investigator) with A. Phinney, C. Jacova, K. Kirkland, L. Beattie, S. Summers (Co-Investigators). Alzheimer Society of Canada (2010-2012). CIRCA BC: Community based research to customize a computer-based reminiscence program for BC seniors with dementia. B. Purves (Principal Investigator) with A. Phinney, W. Hulko (Co-Investigators). British Columbia Medical Services Foundation (2008-2011). Arts Health and Seniors: Impact of Community-Engaged Arts on Healthy Aging. A. Phinney (Principal Investigator) with J. Perry, J. Small (Co-Investigators). UBC School of Nursing (2007-2008). Meaningful Activity from the Perspective of Persons with Dementia. A. Phinney (Principal Investigator) with H. Chaudhury, D. O’Connor (Co-Investigators). Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2005-2009). Changes in Social Interaction and Everyday Activity in Dementia. A. Phinney (Principal Investigator) with H. Chaudhury, D. O’Connor (Co-Investigators). Social Sciences and Humanities Research (2005-2010).