Culturally tailored case studies for dementia carers (English version)

Full description

Introduction

This book entitled “Culturally tailored case studies for facilitators and carers in the iSupport for dementia program” with accompanied videos is an education and coaching resource to enable the implementation of the research project entitled “A ‘culturally tailored iSupport model’ for carers of people with dementia”. The culturally tailored iSupport model (Hereafter: CT-iSupport) is a multicomponent intervention for carers of people with dementia (PWD) from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. The CT-iSupport comprises: 1) facilitator-enabled access to, and utilisation of care services to meet the care needs of PWD; 2) carer support groups for carers; 3) dementia care education for carers using the iSupport program in their preferred language; and 4) carers’ feedback on care services.

This project includes four aims. These are to:

· Aim 1: Co-design strategies and co-create resources to implement the iSupport model.

· Aim 2: Determine the intervention effectiveness.

· Aim 3: Determine implementation strategies.

· Aim 4: Determine the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

The unfolding case studies with accompanied videos presented in this book address aim 1. These resources were co-designed and co-produced with stakeholders to complement the World Health Organization’s (WHO) iSupport for dementia program in an Australian socio-cultural context. The evidence supporting the unfolding case studies comes from our focused literature review that reported real cases; submitted cases from stakeholders; and consultations with stakeholders. These unfolding case studies emphasise challenges carers encounter at the time of dementia diagnosis, throughout everyday dementia care, and during transition moments.

Outline of unfolding case studies in each iSupport module

In total, we have developed 20 unfolding case studies which include 56 related case studies. We have organised these unfolding case studies to relate the WHO iSupport program modules as showed in Table 1. Each unfolding case study focuses on dementia caregiving in a CALD community. However, stakeholders across different CALD communities have contributed and made a collective effort in the development of each unfolding case study. We believe the collaboration, collective action and reflection on dementia caregiving across CALD communities will generate synergy. Sharing each other’s strengths and care services will enhance education, coaching and support for carers.

The structure of the unfolding case study

Each unfolding case study is organised as follows:

• Brief introduction to the unfolding case study
• Actors
• The links to the case study videos
• Case study scripts

o Challenges and stresses the carer experiences

o Carer’s learning journey that enables them to cope with the challenges

o The care outcomes the carer has achieved

• Coaching tools for carers to achieve their care goals
• Coaching tools for facilitators to enable carers to achieve their care goals

How to use the unfolding case studies

The unfolding case study can be used to complement the WHO iSupport program or as a standalone education and coaching resource based on the carers’ dementia learning needs. We have developed a “Carer learning needs assessment and action taking tool” (Appendix 1) to enable carers to assess their learning needs, and select relevant unfolding case studies to meet their learning needs. We encourage carers to watch the unfolding case study videos first and then read the unfolding case study when they need to do so. We also encourage carers to develop their own coaching plan after they have watched and/or read the unfolding case study to achieve their goals in the care of their loved ones.