Dementia care researchers from China attended a workshop at Flinders University last week, to discuss distribution in Australia and China of the iSupport self-help skills and training program for carers of people with dementia.

As part of the large project ‘Optimising support for carers of people with dementia by embedding iSupport in routine care services in Australia and Greater China’, the workshop enabled the delegates from China and Australia to identify and elaborate on practical approaches to implement the iSupport program and influence dementia care policies that will sustain the program in both countries.

With approximately 40 million people in China and 1.6 million in Australia involved in caring for someone living with dementia, the iSupport program aims to support family members caring for someone with dementia. Originally developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the program has been culturally adapted for the Chinese-Australian community and Greater China in the 2020 Foundation funded project led by Flinders University’s Professor Lily Xiao.

The workshop also provided opportunities to showcase Australia’s excellence in dementia care services, with delegates visiting and interacting with staff from Dementia Australia and the Specialist Advanced Dementia Unit (SADU) at the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN).

Delegates also spoke with researchers from the Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) about practical approaches and examples to translate dementia care knowledge into care services.

The Caring Futures Institute (CFI) also hosted a Nursing Futures event, led by Professor Alison Kitson, that enabled delegates and CFI researchers to exchange their achievements in developing the Fundamental of Care theory and practices to address care solutions for older people.

The delegates also discussed internationalisation in higher education with Mr Sebastian Raneskold, Flinders University Vice-President and Pro Vice-Chancellor (International).

The China delegates are:

• Professor Chang Chia-Chi, Taipei Medical University
• Professor Feng Hui, Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University
• Professor Hu Yan, School of Nursing, Fudan University
• A/Professor Hu Rujun, School of Nursing, Zunyi Medical University
• Professor Wang Huali, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital)
• A/Professor Wang Jing, School of Nursing, Xi’an Jiaotong University
• Ms Wong Pui Sze, Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
• Professor Zhang Fengying, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University
• Professor Zhu Mingxia, Kiang Wu Nursing, College of Macau

The Australian team members are:

• Professor Lily Xiao, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University
• Professor Julie Ratcliffe, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University
• Associate Professor Shahid Ullah, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University
• Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty, The University of New South Wales
• Professor Bianca Brijnath, National Ageing Research Institute
• Associate Professor Hui-Chen Chang, Western Sydney University

Funded by the Australian Government’s National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, the project will ultimately help more than 41 million people around the world living with dementia.