Postal Program Brings Good News For Carers, Australia

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 02 Dec 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Looking after a loved one with dementia is never easy, but a new UQ program could help carers better cope with the burden.

School of Psychology professional doctorate student Zoe Barnett from Taringa is trialling the Coping with Caring Program, which is distributed via the post and aims to help carers identify early warning signs of low mood and anxiety.

"Understanding the needs of carers and providing services that ensure they have good psychological wellbeing means that the person with dementia directly benefits," Miss Barnett said.

"This is important because currently 40,000 people in Queensland are living with dementia. By 2050 there are projected to be over 420,000 Australian women with dementia (3.2% of all women), and over 310,000 Australian men (2.4% of men)."

The program comprises a series of weekly workbooks, and follows the postal delivery system successfully trialled with the On Track© depression program devised by former UQ academic Professor David Kavanagh.

Topics covered include monitoring stress levels, communication issues and coping with behavioural changes, with additional support provided over the telephone.

"Carers have limited time and resources to seek assistance," Miss Barnett said.

"Caring for someone with dementia is often a 24-hour job, particularly when the person moves from early stage to moderate or advanced stage dementia.

"This combination of time and financial restrictions means that carers have significantly reduced access to specialist services including psychologists. Therefore, postal delivery allows carers to benefit from the workbook content at their own pace and in their own home."

Miss Barnett said preliminary research had shown older carers (the majority of the cohort), were more comfortable with mailed materials, although internet and email correspondence could be worked into future versions of the program.

Those over the age of 18 who are caring for an older person with dementia or Alzheimer's and not currently in treatment with a psychologist are able to take part in the trial by contacting 07 3346 9857 or z.barnett@uq.edu.au.

If the program proved successful, Miss Barnett said Alzheimer's Australia (Queensland) were interested in using the Coping with Caring Program to effectively target the large numbers of carers currently unable to access or afford face-to-face services.

The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia