Effectiveness of an online psychosocial intervention for coping and well-being of carers of people living with dementia

Participants in the intervention group will receive an information booklet about dementia as well as a weekly 30-minute individual supportive counselling session for eight weeks. The counselling sessions offer support and strategies to address the weekly concerns of the participant. Delivered weekly the eight sessions will focus on: Dementia understanding; coping strategies; building problem solving skills; stress management; self-care; providing emotional support through interactive activities; and future planning. The sessions will be delivered online (either by telephone or videoconferencing) depending on the personal preference of participants. The counselling sessions will be interactive and carried out by the study research assistant who is a qualified mental health nurse and counsellor. There are comprehensive guidelines for each session provided in a comprehensive protocol document. For example: Session 4 Objective: Increase carers’ knowledge about the consequences of stress and stress management - Greet participant and introduce today’s session. - Mention that previous studies reported that family carers are more likely to experience anxiety and stress and other mental health concerns. - Ask the participant if he/she has been experiencing stress in their caring role and how he/she relieves stress. - Invite the participant to talk about the strategies he/she has been using in managing stress related to the caregiving role, and whether the participant found those strategies helpful or not helpful. - Discuss additional 3 stress management strategies appropriate for each carer (e.g., exercise, talking to family and friends, finding a hobby, relaxation, deep breathing). - Teach and practice the above chosen 3 stress management techniques. - Ask if the participant has any questions and address those questions. - Explain what will happen in the next session. - Conclude the session and thank the participant. *Attendance Logs will be used during and after sessions to document attendance and report activities and outcomes. The information booklet is readily available online and is the same booklet that the control group will receive. The booklet is encouraged to be used by Dementia Australia and accessible via https://www.dementia.org.au/sites/default/files/resources/The-Dementia-Guide-2019-v2.pdf The booklet provides a description of the different types of dementia, what to expect as a carer, strategies to manage the care and wellbeing of people living with dementia and referral contact and crisis information. It is divided into 11 sections including Section 1 Information about dementia; Section 2 Understanding your diagnosis; Section 3 Health care team and treatment; Section 4 Planning for the future (such as financial management, government support); Section 5 Living well (such as coping with changes, reducing stress); Section 6 Support for people with dementia; Section 7 Dementia Australia service (such as information services and support services); Section 8 Residential care (such as choosing a residential care facility, understanding fees and costs); Section 9 Later stage of dementia (understating palliative care); Section 10 Checklists (of things to help them live well); and Section 11 Support and information for carers (such as getting emotional support and coping with changes in behaviours). It may take approximately 6 hours to complete the whole booklet and is best utilised as a reference book to refer to specific information when required. Although the information in the booklet will be incorporated in the sessions, the purpose of the booklet is to be read at the participants own discretion and to be used as a reference book for home use. As the information in the booklet is to be used as reference material only, therefore no adherence will be monitored in relation to its contents.