University of Tasmania, Australia

Carers’ CARE is an innovative self-help program designed to support carers of people with dementia. This exciting research project involves a pilot randomised control trial of a new model of carer self help - CarersCARE - involving a DVD and a guidebook. The project is conducted in conjunction with collaborators from the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (WDREC) and Menzies Research institute Tasmania. The state wide trial was launched by the minister for Mental Health and Aging, Mr Mark Butler on 22/09/2010.

The caring role can be unrelenting and arduous and resilient carers who can manage their own physical and psychological health are better able to provide sustained quality care. In the long run, better well-being for carers leads to better care and outcomes for people with dementia. The Carers’ CARE program is a DVD and resource package that teaches skills and strategies, and identifies useful resources, to help carers manage the challenging situations they can face in looking after someone with dementia. Carers’ Care addresses the main challenges carers face across their entire journey, from diagnosis, through to life after the person they cared for has passed away.

The Carers’ CARE DVD features real carers of people with dementia sharing their experiences, and the things they learned in their journeys that helped them cope. In addition there is up-to-date information provided by experts in dementia and support and respite services. Experts also provide information about legal matters and patient advocacy services that can help carers in their roles and planning. 

We are very grateful for funding and support from Tasmanian Home and Community Care Program (HACC), a jointly funded State and Australian Government program.

Carers’ Care is supported by the Tasmanian branches of; Alzheimer’s Australia, Carers Australia, Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre - Community Based Support South and Parkinson’s Tasmania

If you are interested in finding out more go to the Carers Care website

To register to participate or ask questions, email carers.care@utas.edu.au

Scott, J.L et al., (2010) Pilot Evaluation of the Carers' CARE Program for Carers of People with Dementia. Proceedings of the 43rd Australian Association of Gerontology National Conference 17 – 19 November, Hobart TAS

Scott, J.L Executive Producer, Writer, Gibson, M.(director & co-writer), Murray, K., Tsinoglou, M (2010) Cares’ Care: A resources for carers of people with dementia [DVD] [90minute] Hobart: UTAS: Epix Productions [ISBN 978-0-9803422-3-9]

Members (External)

Chief investigator Dr Jenn Scott, School of Psychology, UTAS: JennScott@utas.edu.au

Dr Kristy Sanderson,  Menzies Research Institute Tasmania (MRIT) Co-investigator
Dr Christine Stirling Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (WDREC) Senior Research Fellow

Dr Toby Croft, Royal Hobart Hospital, TAS

Professor Andrew Robinson, (WDREC) Co-Director

Professor James Vickers WDREC Co-Director

Project officers Dr Sarah Haberle, Dr Erin Kelly, Ms Robyn Jacobson