Janny Neijsen-van der Kuijl, participant in the pilot study of ‘In control of dementia’tells us that in 2007 her husband was found to have Alzheimer disease. Since then, his illness has taken over their lives. Fortunately she and her husband are receiving excellent support and she has experienced great benefit from the nine lessons of ‘In control of dementia’. She now finds it much easier to control her own emotions when her husband does something strange. www.dementiedebaas.nl |
Online support for carers reduces the risk of burn-outHow do you deal with problem behaviour in a partner or parent with dementia? And as a carer, how do you manage to cope? These two issues are central to a new online course on dementia. |
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There are some 270,000 dementia sufferers in the Netherlands. 70% of these are cared for at home, thanks to the efforts of hundreds of thousands of informal carers. These carers operate on a voluntary basis and therefore often find it difficult to set boundaries themselves. Many of them also fail to deal adequately with their own sense of loss. It is therefore not surprising that 78% of this group experiences overburdening or runs a high risk of suffering burn-out. Depression is also common among carers. Clearly there is a need for a special website for carers containing information, advice and a self-help course.read more >> |
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The online course ‘In control of dementia’ [Dementia de baas] covers various issues confronting carers of dementia sufferers daily: Dealing with problem behaviour, getting others involved, making time for yourself, coping with your thoughts and emotions, standing up for yourself, and identifying difficulties. The course includes lessons on all these topics, using elements derived from cognitive behaviour therapy. The participants are given homework assignments and they keep a care diary. This enables them to apply the course material in daily practice and to learn new skills. After a month the course is completed with a follow-up lesson. While taking the course, the participants are guided by staff from Geriant, a specialised health care provider in this area. They provide feedback on completed assignments. In spring 2009 in collaboration with the VU University, Amsterdam, a two-year effect study will be conducted, involving 200 course participants. Following this, the online course will be made available to all carers of dementia sufferers.
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'Ever more dementia care at home'"According to Anne Margriet Pot, head of the Programme on Ageing the rapid rise in the number of dementia sufferers means that more often they will have to be cared for at home. It is therefore important to invest in the mental resilience of informal carers and help them to cope. It is hoped that the new online course will make some contribution to this goal. "
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