If the diagnosis of dementia changes life: a research project led by Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences wants to offer support for the challenging care of dementia patients at home.
Maria and Herbert have just retired for a few years when Herbert starts to change. First they are small things – it forgets names and asks the same questions several times, leave key and wallet. But over time, the moments when he is disoriented and confused. After several visits to the doctor, the diagnosis is certain: dementia in the early stage.
Maria is shocked and feels overwhelmed. What does that mean for your future? How can she support Herbert as well as possible? And where does she find help at all?
Overwhelming with the disease
Many family members of people with dementia are at the beginning. According to estimates, around 6,000 people currently live with a form of dementia in Vorarlberg. This song could double by 2050. The disease not only presents those who have struck themselves, but also their families with enormous challenges. Knowledge of existing support offers is often missing, which means that the organization of nursing can quickly lead to overwhelming. This is exactly where the research project “Telecarehub” of the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences enters.
Caring family members are often confronted with complex and stressful situations. In addition to physical and emotional stress, the organizational challenge is added. “Telecarehub” offers digital service that makes information possible, networking with specialized staff and support.
“We want to strengthen our own authorization of the caring family members, so that they are better prepared for their role. The first intervening results show that this increases a goodness and that relationship work between the caregiver and the supervisor can be positively influenced, ”explains project manager Katrin Paldán. The project connects eleven partner organizations – including AKS Gesundheit GmbH, the Mobile Aid Services of the Working Group, the Personal Pool Vorlberg, Connexia, Dementia, Caritas and the Nursing Association. Five offers can be found on the Telecarehub.at homepage: learning and training options, information about healthcare at home, online discussion groups, advice for care providers and an impact control for the early detection of overwhelming.
Corresponding study of effectiveness
A pilot study that is being carried out in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences in Carinthia is investigating how caring family members observe and use digital offers. Participants from different federal states test the platform for up to six months and provide feedback on user -friendliness, acceptance and the concrete effects on their caring experience. Those hope that the digital offer will contribute to relieving family members and thus improve the entire care situation.
“Moreover, early use of such offers can also relieve the health system in the long term,” is Paldán optimistic. That would also be bitter: according to Wifo, the cost increase of the nursing sector will be considerable in the coming decades. The State Vorarlberg expects 427 percent by 2050 with an increase in nursing costs – it would be the strongest increase in costs throughout Austria.
The research project also wants to deal with the different needs of care providers. “Partners of the affectors need a different support than working children. One of the biggest challenges is the serious change in the relationship between nourishing and guiding, “says Paldán.
There are more auxiliary offers than many think
Although there are already various support offers, they are unknown across the board. “In Vorarlberg, for example, there are Case and Caremanager as contact persons in Vorarlberg. Here we hope to contribute to better networks between care providers, the affected and regional service providers. “The double burden between work and care is a huge problem. Extra help is urgently needed here, “the project manager emphasizes.
“Telecarehub” was laid out in the long term. Up to 2026 will be worked to optimally adapt the platform to the needs of the family members. To be able to work sustainably afterwards, you are already looking for financing options. The researchers hope that their work can contribute to a real improvement in care for people with dementia.
Source: Krone
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