Research at the Caring Futures Institute is helping provide greater support for family carers living with dementia \u2013 a condition affecting more than 400,000 Australians.<\/p>\n
Leader in aged care, cross cultural care and carers of dementia research, Professor Lily Xiao<\/a> is steering an Australian adaptation of the World Health Organisation\u2019s iSupport for Dementia online learning program.<\/p>\n The online platform will be particularly useful for family carers in rural and remote areas in improving access to dementia education.<\/p>\n One of several key projects of the recently launched Caring Futures Institute, the Australian pilot of iSupport for Dementia includes two initial modules providing thorough information for new carers and interactive learning activities tailored to the user\u2019s own care relationship.<\/p>\n Gillian Schulze of Resthaven Community Services has worked in the industry for 25 years and is a past informal carer of an elderly neighbour with dementia.<\/p>\n She is among thousands of Australian carers recognised and celebrated as part of National Carer\u2019s Week<\/a> (October 13-19).<\/p>\n Carers make an enormous contribution to communities and the national economy. According to Carers Australia, if all carers decided to stop performing their caring role, it would cost the country $60.3 billion per year to replace the support \u2013 that\u2019s more than $1 billion per week.<\/p>\n Gillian was well placed to provide input and trial the Australian iSupport for Dementia program led by Professor Xiao, and says it can help answer common questions from carers that arise at any time.<\/p>\n