Grant: Operating Grant: Knowledge to Action

<html> <body>Family caregivers are an important part of the health care system, and these caregivers require support to help deal with the physical and emotional costs associated with care giving. However, there appears to be a gap between what research evidence suggests is needed to help support family caregivers and what is actually provided. Family caregivers of persons with dementia are a particular group to target for more supports, given the increasing number of persons with dementia and the high level of care that is often required. Currently&nbsp;44 million people globally are estimated to be living with dementia, with this number predicted to almost double by 2030. Family caregivers provide a significant proportion of the care currently provided to older Canadians with dementia. <br> <br>The objective of this proposal is to implement and evaluate an evidence-informed online support tool customized for Canadian caregivers of persons with dementia. Specifically, we will explore the potential value of this online support tool that incorporates evidence-informed interactive caregiver self-efficacy and self-management modules (iSupport), recently developed by the World Health Organization. Self-efficacy and self-management strategies and tools can be an effective way to decrease caregiver burden. The iSupport modules will be embedded into a currently available local Alberta website provided by the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories (www.asantcafe.ca). <br> <br> We have brought together international researchers and a broad array of knowledge users, including the Alzheimer Society, as partners in the research process. Our team has expertise in online tool development and evaluation, clinical trials, patient and public engagement, and knowledge translation and dissemination. We will test the usability of the online support tool (iSupport) with family caregivers. The iSupport modules will be revised based on this feedback, ensuring we address potential barriers to use. This will be followed by a randomized controlled trial to determine the impact of iSupport on caregiver outcomes such as burden and health. <br> <br> Information about this online tool and the results of tool evaluation will be presented at a National networking meeting with relevant stakeholders, including members of the various provincial Alzheimer Societies, researchers, family caregivers, caregivers associations, clinicians and health care administrators and policy makers. We will use the connections of our diverse project team members to help recruit meeting participants. At the meeting we will present information about the iSupport modules and their potential impact on caregiver outcomes. The meeting will be used to help develop strategies to implement the iSupport modules within other local websites available in other provinces, in an effort to enhance caregiver supports across the country. <br> <br>This strategy should improve evidence-based practice, and ultimately improve supports for caregivers of persons with dementia across Canada. The proposed knowledge translation activities will enhance collaboration with our national and international colleagues and also help us identify future research priorities in this important area within health care. The project can also serve as a model for implementation and evaluation of evidence-informed online supports targeted directly towards patients and families.</body> </html>