Family carers play a vital role in supporting individuals with dementia, yet they are at an increased risk of anxiety, stress, and other mental health difficulties. The iACT4CARERS programme has been developed to offer accessible support through an online, therapist-supported intervention rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Its aim is to assist carers in managing challenging thoughts and feelings while enabling them to maintain focus on the activities, relationships, and values that are most important to them.
The iACT4CARERS programme is delivered online and accessible via computer, tablet, or smartphone. It comprises eight self-guided sessions, supported by trained coaches and therapists. Participants engage with activities, videos, and exercises designed to foster psychological flexibility and resilience, helping them to balance the demands of their caring responsibilities.
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust served as a recruitment site for the study. Participants were recruited through the Memory and Cognition Research Delivery Team. Annette Haddon-Silver was the Principal Investigator for the Oxford Health site, assisted by two members of the Memory and Cognition Research Delivery Team, Sally Wells and Teresa Ingleby, who were trained as coaches and provided support to participants.
The study was led by the University of East Anglia and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Researchers anticipate that the findings will contribute to enhancing the support options available for the increasing number of individuals caring for family members with dementia.
“"Family carers make an invaluable contribution to the lives of people living with dementia, often while managing considerable pressures themselves. The publication of these findings is an important step in understanding how accessible, online psychological support can help carers look after their own wellbeing. We are proud to have contributed to this national study and grateful to the carers who gave their time to take part, helping to strengthen the evidence base for future dementia care and support."
The full paper is available for open access reading in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. Researchers and the public can access and download the publication. For further information, the Memory and Cognition Research Delivery team can be contacted at dementia.research@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk.
