‘Caring For The Carer’: Implementing A Comprehensive Support Service Model For Family Caregivers Looking After Persons With Age-related Macular Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$218,830.00
Summary
Blindness related to late age-related macular degeneration impacts not only the patient but also their family carers, placing them at risk of poor health outcomes. Together with our partners (Macular Disease Foundation Australia; Carers NSW), we will implement and evaluate a comprehensive support service that aims to help family caregivers by enhancing their psychosocial skills, so that they can manage their stress more effectively and better cope with the challenges associated with caregiving.
A Randomised Cross-over Trial Of Family-mediated Personalised Activities For Nursing Home Residents With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
While the cognitive, functional and behavioural changes in people with dementia are without doubt stressful for family carers, it may be that the loss of the relationship underlies the burden and feelings of depression that many carers experience. Typically, interventions to alleviate carer stress separate the carer from their relative instead of focusing on improving their relationship. This project aims to train carers to conduct personalised one-to-one activities with their relative.
Health, Economic, Psychological And Social Impact Of Educating Carers Of Patients With Advanced Pulmonary Disease (APD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,452.00
Summary
Our study aims to understand the health, economic and social costs associated with caring for patients with advanced pulmonary disease (APD) and to determine health, economic and social impact of improving the skills of caregivers of patients with APD has on patients and their carers. Patients with APD are a large population at high risk of health resource use, unnecessary medication use and emergency admission to hospital or residential care facilities. Although previous research has identified ....Our study aims to understand the health, economic and social costs associated with caring for patients with advanced pulmonary disease (APD) and to determine health, economic and social impact of improving the skills of caregivers of patients with APD has on patients and their carers. Patients with APD are a large population at high risk of health resource use, unnecessary medication use and emergency admission to hospital or residential care facilities. Although previous research has identified difficulties experienced by caregivers of the elderly in general, very little research has been undertaken with carers of patients with APD. The study will compare the usual practice of educating patients with APD who commence home oxygen therapy (HOT), and their carers, against a more detailed and individually targeted education program that increases the skills of patients and carers. This study has the potential to reduce hospital-residential care readmission, reduce carer distress, improve patient outcomes, reduce adverse effects of oxygen therapy and medication use, and minimize inappropriate presentation to tertiary care emergency departments.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Trial Of A Carer End Of Life Planning Intervention (CELPI) In People Dying With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,486,232.00
Summary
Dementia is the second highest cause of death in Australia. Although palliative care helps individuals avoid suffering and futile interventions at the end of life, only 6% of people that die of dementia receive such care. Many older people with dementia attend an ED in their final year of life. In CELPI we will trial using that opportunity of an ED visit as the trigger to implement a triad of carer education, access to palliative care and a formal planning process for participants.
Gotta Be Sit Down And Worked Out Together- A Program For Carers Of Older People In Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,742,188.00
Summary
"Gotta be sit down and worked out together" is a participatory program for carers of older people with physical and mental health problems who live in remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley. This project aims to assist community carers to select, develop and implement programs to address their unmet health needs, utilising a community based participatory action research approach. The program emphasises the need to foster empowerment, improve psychological well being and carer burden.
Choir Participation To Improve Wellbeing And Relationship Quality For Community-dwelling People With Dementia And Their Primary Care-givers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,698.00
Summary
An estimated 300,000 Australians live with dementia and this figure is projected to triple by 2050. Aligning with government priorities to support primary caregivers to care for loved ones at home, this project investigates the effect of choir participation and familiar music for people with dementia and their caregivers. We expect to find evidence that active music participation enhances wellbeing, quality of life, and relationship quality for people with dementia and their caregivers.
A Health And Wellbeing Model Of Care For Disability Service Providers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,428.00
Summary
This project aims to develop a model of care that improves the health and wellbeing of children with a disability, and their parents, implementing it within a major disability service and providing evidence of its impact on outcomes. The research involves partners from service planning, health economics, child health and development working together to ensure that the model of care for services is strongly aligned to the vision for improved outcomes through the National Disability Insurance Sche ....This project aims to develop a model of care that improves the health and wellbeing of children with a disability, and their parents, implementing it within a major disability service and providing evidence of its impact on outcomes. The research involves partners from service planning, health economics, child health and development working together to ensure that the model of care for services is strongly aligned to the vision for improved outcomes through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.Read moreRead less
Improving Psychosocial Outcomes For Cancer Carers: A Randomised Control Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$533,738.00
Summary
This multi-centre randomised trial will test a novel telephone-based intervention for carers of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. The intervention involves five structured calls from a nurse to the carer over 10 weeks, aiming to improve psychosocial outcomes for both carers and patients. If the results are positive, this telephone intervention could be implemented broadly in both metropolitan and rural areas, and could be adapted for other groups of carers.
The Impact Of Caregiving On The Health Of Informal Carers: Change Over Time And Association With Stressors And Resources
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,160.00
Summary
A large number of Australians provide care for an aged or disabled relative. This study will investigate the health of these family carers, if it changes after care-giving starts and how it varies with the duration and amount of care-giving. It will provide information about these effects in different groups such as those with time pressures due to childcare and employment as well as those with different levels of access to resources and support. It will help with policies to support carers.
A Centre For Research Excellence In Cerebral Palsy (CRE-CP)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,622,042.00
Summary
Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood. Our objective is to bring about a radical improvement in the treatment of individuals with cerebral palsy, both children and adults, and to determine better ways to assist their families. Emphasis will be placed on early detection of health issues and rigorous evaluation of management options. We will train more researchers and ensure that all the knowledge generated is made available to families and health care professionals.