Snapshot: Alzheimer's Australia pilot of an innovative approach to consumer education and training.
BACKGROUND
Enabling the families and carers of people with dementia to access information, support and opportunities for education and training is critical to ensuring that both the carer and person with dementia maintain their quality of life. The Dementia Caring Pilot Project trialed an innovative approach to providing this support through offering tailored activities aimed at enhancing and developing a range of skills, both dementia-specific and life oriented.


METHODS
Alzheimer's Australia worked closely with Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres (CCRCs) across Australia to identify potential participants, and then deliver skills enhancement activities that were suited to their individual needs.


RESULTS
Nationally, 47 CCRCs participated in the Project and 324 skills enhancement activities were provided to over 1000 participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The Project was successful in giving the families and carers of people with dementia the opportunity to express the need for the capabilities they wished to enhance, and to have the opportunity of a flexible service response.
Eayrs
Phaedra
P
Alzheimer's Australia National Office, Canberra, Hawker ACT 2614, Australia. peayrs@alzheimers.org.au
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D001315:Australia; D003256:Community Participation; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D005791:Patient Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011361:Professional Competence; D013663:Teaching