Researchers at the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) and the John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing at La Trobe University, are seeking trial participants as part of a $1.7 million project to improve the lives of carers of people living with dementia in rural Australia.
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The Virtual Dementia Friendly Rural Communities (Verily Connect) project will trial online technologies to support carers of people living with dementia in 12 rural communities across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
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Professor Irene Blackberry, Director and John Richards Chair of Rural Ageing and Aged Care Research at La Trobe University, and Principal Investigator of the Verily Connect project, said there are an estimated 200,000 informal carers of people with dementia in rural Australia.
“Our aim is to use online technology to increase support for these carers. To trial the new technology, we are looking for 25 participants in Nyngan including carers of people with dementia, volunteers and service providers,” Professor Blackberry said.
As part of the trial, researchers will introduce three key initiatives including a volunteer-led support and mentoring hub to assist older people to use online technologies; a website and mobile app that helps carers of people living with dementia to find local services and connect with other carers; and online video-conferenced carer peer support groups.
“A dementia friendly rural community has many benefits. If carers can be better supported, their capacity to care for people with dementia is greatly improved, reducing the need for more expensive and more disruptive residential care, or multiple acute care admissions,” Professor Blackberry said.
Professor David Perkins, Director and Professor of Rural Health Research at the University of Newcastle’s CRRMH and Co-Investigator in the study, said he hoped to get many carers, volunteers and support services in the region involved in the trial.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how technology can play a role in supporting and encouraging connection amongst those caring for people with dementia, particularly in regional areas where there are barriers to services and support,” Professor Perkins said.
In addition to Nyngan, communities taking part in the trial include Edenhope, Warracknabeal, Heathcote, Horsham, Robinvale, Kooweerup, Kyneton, and Mansfield in Victoria, Molong in NSW and Victor Harbor and Riverland in SA.
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Verily Connect is funded by the Department of Health and delivered in collaboration with Swinburne University, Flinders University, and Saskatchewan University in Canada. Verily Connect will be implemented and evaluated across 2018-2019.
To find out more about becoming a participant in Verily Connect, a community meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 8 at 3.30pm in the Nyngan Health Service.
For more information about the community meeting email verilyconnect@latrobe.edu.au or phone 02 6363 8438.
