Federal Minster for Mental Health and Ageing, Mr Mark Butler, will today launch during World Alzheimer's Awareness Week, a world-first support program to assist those who care for people with dementia, in Hobart.

Federal Minster for Mental Health and Ageing, Mr Mark Butler, will today launch during World Alzheimer's Awareness Week, a world-first support program to assist those who care for people with dementia, in Hobart.

The new Carers' Care Program has been developed by the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania's Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Science Engineering and Technology, and the Faculty of Health Science, University of Tasmania.

The program includes a 90 minute DVD and tip sheets and is designed to help carers of people with dementia cope, and to support them throughout their caring experience.

Most people with dementia are cared for by family or friends, which can create enormous strain on the carers' health and quality of life.

In Australia, the number of dementia patients is projected to increase from approximately 230,000 in 2008, to over 730,000 in 2050.

Carers' CARE project leader, Dr Jennifer Scott says the program teaches skills and strategies to help carers manage challenging situations they may face in looking after someone with dementia.

"The aim of the DVD is to support carers no matter where they live and what their circumstances," Dr Scott said.

 "The DVD features real carers sharing their experiences and the skills they have learnt that help them manage the day-to-day reality of caring for a dementia patient," she said.

The program will commence with a state-wide evaluation in Tasmania, with the aim of a national trial in the future.

Ms Margaret Wadley cares for her husband Roy and was keen to contribute to the production of the Carers' CARE DVD.

"I hope that some of the things I've said will be useful to other people because one thing in life is that if you call on other people's experiences sometimes it saves you a hell of a lot of trouble yourself," said Ms Wadley

The resource was developed in collaboration with Home and Community Care Program, Alzheimer's Australia (Tas), Carers Australia (Tas), Community Based Support South Inc, and the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre.

The Home and Community Care Program (HACC), a jointly funded State and Australian Government program, recognised dementia as a major priority and took steps to meet the growing burden the dementia epidemic places on our community. Ms Janet Carty, HACC Official Tasmania, is optimistic about the impact these resources will have for carers in the community.

"Carers' CARE is probably the most exciting project my team had been approached to be involved in. We could see it had far reaching benefits and it will have influence across the country and worldwide, making a difference for carers and people living with dementia," Ms Carty said.

People caring for a person with dementia who would like to take part in the trial can register their interest online at www.carers-care.edu.au , by emailing carers.care@utas.edu.au or calling (03) 6226 2576.

Established in 2008, the Wicking Dementia Centre is funded by the JO & JR Wicking Trust, (managed by ANZ Trustees) with further financial support from the University of Tasmania and the Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania.

Information Released by:

Fiona Horwood, Communications Manager

Phone: 6226 7751 Mobile: 0409 357 384

Email: Fiona.Horwood@menzies.utas.edu.au

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