Find out more below about a research study taking place at the University of Strathclyde.
The University of Strathclyde would like to invite you to take part in a dementia carers research study. The research study is investigating whether using an online education and self-care website called ‘iSupport’ is better at helping you take care of yourself and learning about dementia compared to reading a booklet designed for dementia carers. If you receive iSupport, you will be given instruction in how to access it, and a member of the team will contact you to provide assistance if you need help. iSupport has a number of different topics, and they can be accessed whenever you wish. Additionally, you can look at all the topics or just those that are of interest or relevant to your situation.
This work is important because most people living with dementia are cared for at home, supported by a family member or friend who often has limited knowledge of the condition. The role can be very stressful, and many carers experience more mental health problems and physical illness compared to people who are not dementia carers.
We are looking for participants who are aged 18 or over and have caring responsibilities for a family member or friend living with dementia and live in Britain. If you agree to take part, the researcher will ask you to complete some questionnaires in either a telephone or internet-based interview, whichever is your preference. The questions will ask about your role as a carer and the potential emotional impact of this role. Afterwards, you will be randomly allocated to either receive iSupport for a six-month period or receive an information booklet. This is so that we can compare how people feel when receiving either of these, and whether there are any benefits.
With your permission, we would also like to interview you again three-months and six-months after the start. Each of the interviews should take no more than one hour, and can be completed at a time that’s convenient to you. If you initially receive the booklet, we will provide access to iSupport following your six-month interview. At the end of six months, we may ask you to take part in an interview with another researcher who will ask more open questions about your experiences of using iSupport. Taking part is voluntary, and if you change your mind after agreeing to take part, you can withdraw at any time, and you do not have to say why. If you decide not to take part, or to withdraw, this will not make any difference to your health care, and it will not affect your rights in any way.
If you would like to learn more, please contact: isupportstudy@strath.ac.uk