Elaine Wiersma is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Lakehead University, Canada. Her research focuses on issues around dementia and aging, particularly examining the social dimensions of aging and dementia, quality of life, and the preservation of self and personhood. Elaine has worked on a number of major projects, including Mapping the Dementia Journey: People and Pathways, in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, and Understanding Dementia in Rural Northern Communities, funded by the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Her research on Developing a Self-Management Program for People Living with Dementia: Integrating Research, Care Practices, and Client Perspectives Through Partnership was funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Elaine has an MA and PhD from the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. In addition to her research, she lectures on Public Health Policy, Public Health Ethics and Qualitative Research in Health. She is affiliated with the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH) at Lakehead and the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) at Waterloo.