OUR PEOPLE

Dr. Elaine C. Wiersma, PhD
Lead, re-THINKing dEMENTIA, CERAH
Director, Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health
Associate Professor, Department of Health Sciences
Lakehead University
Phone: (807) 766-7294
Email: ewiersma@lakeheadu.ca

Elaine is the Director of the Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health and an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, completing an MA and PhD from the University of Waterloo. Having spent many years working with older adults in practice and research, particularly individuals with dementia, Elaine’s research aims to tell people’s stories in ways that challenge stereotypes and misconceptions of older people, particularly persons with dementia. Advocacy, inclusion, and rights form the fundamental values underlying her work with people with dementia. Using participatory qualitative methodologies, her research spans community and long-term care, exploring aging and dementia care, contexts of rural and northern communities, and quality of life issues.  Originally from southern Ontario, she has been living in Thunder Bay since 2004. When Elaine is not working, she can be found in her gardens or hiking with camera in hand, and spending time with her family.

Ruth Wilford, HBA
Education Planner 
Project Manager, Self-Management of Dementia
Phone: (807) 766-7298      
Email: rwilford@lakeheadu.ca

Ruth Wilford is an Education Planner with CERAH. She helps to plan and facilitate educational programs for formal and informal care providers of older adults with dementia and mental health needs.  This work is done in collaboration with many local, regional and provincial partners of CERAH.  Ruth is also involved in a number of other initiatives, including Age-Friendly Thunder Bay, Self-Management of Dementia research, the Rural Dementia project, the North West Dementia Network, and the North West Dementia Working Group.