New online support resource for carers
By Kathy Peri. Published on 3/11/2021
Caring for someone living with dementia can be both very rewarding and extremely stressful, mentally and physically. Becoming emotionally involved as a carer means we take our role very seriously, but that dedication can also lead to us devoting more time and energy to the person they are supporting than to themselves.
That’s why it is so important that care partners have access to good support services and resources. The Alzheimers NZ, Dementia Learning Centre have developed a new online Caring for the Carers programme that helps care partners take better care of themselves.
The programme was co-designed with carers and people living with dementia around New Zealand. It’s very dementia and user-friendly.
It offers a range of tips, resources and advice around mental and physical wellbeing, rest and relaxation, and diet and lifestyle to ensure carer partners can better deal with the stresses of their role.
It includes three specific modules: looking after yourself, staying connected to the community, and tips and tricks for caring for someone with dementia.
The modules are self-directed, easy to navigate and have a number of links to external resources for further information.
Since the programme’s launch in early August, we have been delighted to hear it’s already making a difference: “Love the carers online programme, it is so easy to navigate”, said one, while several stated they feel so much better and they more supported now they have this programme to refer back to and to pass on to others.
Take a look at the Caring for the Carers programme here.
Kathy Peri is an academic gerontologist who holds a joint appointment at the University of Auckland as senior lecturer and Director of the Dementia Learning Centre; Alzheimers NZ. She has a special interest in dementia and has been a named investigator in several dementia research projects with a strong focus on evaluation. Kathy has recently taken on the role as Director of the Dementia Learning Centre which is co creating digital learning programs for carers, PLwD and health professionals. She co leads Cognitive Stimulation Therapy training in New Zealand and will coordinate EDIE (Educational Dementia Immersive Experience). These immersive workshop will enable participants to see the world through the eyes of a person living with dementia utilising high quality virtual reality technology from early 2022.