Kerstin Stieber Roger

Kerstin Stieber Roger is working at finding a way to make the lives of those affected by neurological illnesses like Alzheimer’s easier to live.

“It’s really about the daily lived experience,” she says.

Stieber Roger, Assistant Professor in the Human Ecology Department at the University of Manitoba, has been involved in the LINC Study (The Everyday Experience of LIving with a Neurological Condition - a national study to learn about people living with a neurological condition and how it impacts their everyday lives).

“We have asked people with neurological decline to respond to questions relating to their daily lived experience,” she says.

The study looks at how people affected by neurological decline participate in the community, whether it is at home, work, in a relationship or while volunteering. Another aspect of the study looks at how faith plays a part in helping people affected to cope better.

Stieber Roger says it’s important to find answers so that we can help improve life. “Everything in the life of someone affected by Alzheimer’s revolves around Alzheimer’s, not only for the person affected but also for their families, friends and caregivers as well,” she says.

Stieber Roger also says the perception of research in the community can be mixed. “Some people think research won’t make a difference,” she says. “Others think, finally, someone is doing something.

“Without evidence gathered from research, you can’t make changes.”

There is not a lot of research being done currently on daily lived experience. Stieber Roger feels more could be done to support people so that they can live better lives.

“We need to research what people do on a daily basis and that is just as important as finding a cure.”

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