scholarly journals The impact of volunteering on the volunteer: findings from a peer support programme for family carers of people with dementia

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 548-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Charlesworth ◽  
James B. Sinclair ◽  
Alice Brooks ◽  
Theresa Sullivan ◽  
Shaheen Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Peer Support Programme

Implementing a peer-support programme by group videoconferencing for isolated carers of people with dementia

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 572-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Banbury ◽  
Lynne Parkinson ◽  
Steven Gordon ◽  
Denise Wood
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Recruitment Activities ◽  
Support Programmes ◽  
Peer Support Programme

Introduction Carers support programmes are commonly delivered in person, limiting attendance opportunities for rural carers and others who have access barriers. Studies using technology typically use text-based forums rather than real-time technology such as videoconferencing (VC). Delivering home-based carers support programmes by VC may mitigate barriers for accessing support. We report implementation findings for delivering a telehealth peer-support programme for isolated carers of people with dementia. Methods Participants were recruited through aged care providers, peak bodies and media activities. Inclusion criteria were primary dementia caregiver with Internet access and being socially or geographically isolated. The study design was a staggered randomised waitlist design. Measures included the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6) and selected scales from the e-Health Literacy Questionnaire. Recruitment activities utilised digital processes. Participants completed a six-week programme delivered by VC. Qualitative data comprised logs detailing administration and IT procedures and difficulties. Post programme, 28 participants undertook semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results There were 16 groups comprising 69 participants located throughout Australia, with 87% using their own devices. Technical issues were few but included connection problems, which were compounded by low digital literacy skills. Qualitative data themes included changing perceptions in using technology, differences in communicating by VC and technical support required. Recruitment activities were time-consuming and would benefit from IT tailored for group-based work. Eight groups continued to meet on a self-organised basis. Discussion Providing peer-support groups using telehealth may have the potential to develop self-sustaining peer networks for isolated caregivers of people with dementia.

scholarly journals ‘Four walls and a garden’: Exploring the experiences of families affected by dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122110590
Author(s):  
Emily Cousins ◽  
Kay de Vries ◽  
Karen Harrison Dening
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Social Disruption ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Social Division ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Introduction When the first national COVID-19 lockdown came into effect in the UK in March 2020, life changed significantly. Some services and social contacts for people with dementia and their families stopped, while others, for example, peer support, moved online. This research explored the experiences of families affected by dementia during the pandemic, specifically those living in the community. Aims In partnership with a community dementia charity, this study sought to gain an understanding of the experiences of people with dementia and family carers during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the impact and implications of lockdown on people with dementia and family carers. Methods This was a qualitative study that used semi-structured interviews to collect data from people with dementia and family carers. Interviews were conducted online via video call, individually or within caring dyads. Initially, data were coded, analysed and themed inductively. Additionally, social disruption and social division theories were used to deductively identify patterns in the data to enhance understanding. Findings Six distinct themes were identified from the inductive analysis: Routine: ‘busy life before lockdown’; Isolation: ‘ four walls and a garden’; Living with restrictions: ‘ treading on eggshells’; Discovering positives: ‘you are in the same boat’; Easing lockdown: ‘ raring to go’; Heightened uncertainty: ‘ things have changed’. Illustrative examples of symptoms of social disruption and division were identified within the data: frustration, democratic disconnection, fragmentation, polarisation and escalation. Conclusion Experiences of people with dementia and family carers during the pandemic were mixed, resulting in hopes and worries for the future. Social disruption and social division are relevant frameworks for analysing experiences of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Personality and Dementia: an Approach to Differential Profile of the Caregiver

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 85-94
Author(s):  
Elena de Andrés-Jiménez ◽  
Rosa Mª Limiñana-Gras ◽  
Encarna Fernández-Ros
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Information ◽  
Personality Profile ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Family ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this study is to determine the existence of a characteristic personality profile of family carers of people with dementia. The correct knowledge and use of psychological variables which affect the carer, helps to promote appropriate actions to mitigate the impact of care and improve the carer’s quality of life and likewise the one of the person cared for. The study population consists of 69 family carers of people with dementia, members of various associations and care centers. The results allow us to identify a characteristic personality profile for these carers and it reveals a specific psychological working in this sample, although we cannot directly relate it with the tasks of caring for people with this disease, this profile gives us very relevant information to pay more attention to the needs of this group. Moreover, the analysis of personality styles depends on the sex of the family carer, showing, once again, that the woman is in a situation of most vulnerability.

Peer support programme success

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 6-6
Author(s):  
Lucy Williams
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
Peer Support Programme

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF THE MEETING CENTER SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR FAMILY CARERS

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 343-343
Author(s):  
S. Evans ◽  
D. Brooker ◽  
R. Droes ◽  
F. Meiland ◽  
J. Rymaszewska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Carers ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
People With Dementia

scholarly journals Clinical effectiveness of the START (STrAtegies for RelaTives) psychological intervention for family carers and the effects on the cost of care for people with dementia: 6-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 216 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Livingston ◽  
Monica Manela ◽  
Aidan O'Keeffe ◽  
Penny Rapaport ◽  
Claudia Cooper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Research ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundThe START (STrAtegies for RelaTives) intervention reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms of family carers of relatives with dementia at home over 2 years and was cost-effective.AimsTo assess the clinical effectiveness over 6 years and the impact on costs and care home admission.MethodWe conducted a randomised, parallel group, superiority trial recruiting from 4 November 2009 to 8 June 2011 with 6-year follow-up (trial registration: ISCTRN 70017938). A total of 260 self-identified family carers of people with dementia were randomised 2:1 to START, an eight-session manual-based coping intervention delivered by supervised psychology graduates, or to treatment as usual (TAU). The primary outcome was affective symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, total score (HADS-T)). Secondary outcomes included patient and carer service costs and care home admission.ResultsIn total, 222 (85.4%) of 173 carers randomised to START and 87 to TAU were included in the 6-year clinical efficacy analysis. Over 72 months, compared with TAU, the intervention group had improved scores on HADS-T (adjusted mean difference −2.00 points, 95% CI −3.38 to −0.63). Patient-related costs (START versus TAU, respectively: median £5759 v. £16 964 in the final year; P = 0.07) and carer-related costs (median £377 v. £274 in the final year) were not significantly different between groups nor were group differences in time until care home (intensity ratio START:TAU was 0.88, 95% CI 0.58–1.35).ConclusionsSTART is clinically effective and this effect lasts for 6 years without increasing costs. This is the first intervention with such a long-term clinical and possible economic benefit and has potential to make a difference to individual carers.Declarations of interestG.L., Z.W. and C.C. are supported by the UCLH National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre. G.L. and P.R. were in part supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) North Thames at Bart's Health NHS Trust. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. Z.W. reports during the conduct of the study; personal fees from GE Healthcare, grants from GE Healthcare, grants from Lundbeck, other from GE Healthcare, outside the submitted work.

scholarly journals Personality and Dementia: an Approach to Differential Profile of the Caregiver

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 85-94
Author(s):  
Elena de Andrés-Jiménez ◽  
Rosa Mª Limiñana-Gras ◽  
Encarna Fernández-Ros
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Information ◽  
Personality Profile ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Family ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this study is to determine the existence of a characteristic personality profile of family carers of people with dementia. The correct knowledge and use of psychological variables which affect the carer, helps to promote appropriate actions to mitigate the impact of care and improve the carer’s quality of life and likewise the one of the person cared for. The study population consists of 69 family carers of people with dementia, members of various associations and care centers. The results allow us to identify a characteristic personality profile for these carers and it reveals a specific psychological working in this sample, although we cannot directly relate it with the tasks of caring for people with this disease, this profile gives us very relevant information to pay more attention to the needs of this group. Moreover, the analysis of personality styles depends on the sex of the family carer, showing, once again, that the woman is in a situation of most vulnerability.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document