iSupport for Dementia program proves a winner for carer, Bernie

In 2014, Bernie’s wife was diagnosed with dementia. After a few years using online services to educate himself and navigate this ‘terrible journey’, he became a participant in the World Health Organization’s iSupport for Dementia program, delivered by Resthaven and Flinders University.

‘This has been a game changer for me,’ Bernie says. ‘It has connected me to a group of people facing the same issues. Some were coping with their loved one at a more advanced stage compared to our situation. Having the face-to-face connection was rather daunting at first but the Resthaven folk were extremely helpful.’

Bernie says that speaking to others who are going through the same thing has been invaluable.

‘The overall program is very helpful,’ Bernie says. ‘I benefit so much from garnering information from fellow group members.’

Resthaven and Flinders Uni are now in the final stage of the research collaboration and are seeking participants from our Resthaven community to join the next trial, beginning in September.

‘We understand there is a symbiotic relationship between a carer and the person they are looking after, when it comes to the health and quality of life for both,’ Resthaven Project Officer and iSupport program facilitator, Joanne Smart says.

‘The iSupport program supports this relationship by assisting carers to look after their own needs at the same time as their loved ones. We’ve seen first-hand how the iSupport program can benefit people in our Resthaven community.’

Carers are invited to take part in monthly support group meetings, for a period of six months. The estimated total time commitment is around eight hours.

To be eligible

To be eligible, participants must be an informal carer aged 18 years or older and provide care and support at home, at least twice a week, for a person with a cognitive impairment, such as dementia. No formal diagnosis is required as an informal assessment can take place on enquiry.

To express your interest in participating in this study, please contact Joanne Smart on 0488 751 495 or email at joanne.smart@resthaven.asn.au

This study has been approved by the Southern Adelaide Clinical Human Research Ethics Committee.