Co-design of self-management training resources for carers of older adults
We are working in partnership with carers to develop self-management training resources to help them support the people they care for make decisions about their everyday activities.
What is the purpose of this research project?
Older adults with higher care needs are the group most in need of support to help manage their joint pain alongside additional conditions but are currently the least likely to be able to access support. Many older adults with joint pain living within care settings such as care homes have different degrees of cognitive impairment, and this is often seen as a barrier to self-manage without considerable support from carers (e.g. they may be unable to undertake exercise activity independently).
The SUSTAIN project (conducted by Cardiff University and Bridges Self-Management and funded by the UK Research Institute) aims to develop a new way to support carers to have the knowledge skills and confidence to support people living with multiple conditions.
We will develop training resources that aim to increase carers’ understanding of a model of personalised self-management support that becomes a 'way of working'. Carers will develop their knowledge and skills to empower them to make key changes in the way they support individuals to make decisions and be involved in their care. We will achieve this by working together with carers and people with joint pain and additional conditions, care providers, staff working in social care and charities to develop training resources.
What does the project involve?
We would like to interview care staff and informal carers about their experiences of caring for older people with multiple long-term conditions to find out what matters most, their challenges and how they feel about their role as carers. We will compile a short film from these interviews which will be shown to other carers and people working in the care sector. This will be used to help us to work together to co-design new training and support that people want and need.
Funding
This project is funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Healthy Ageing Catalyst Award.
