iSupport - Local adaptation of the WHO interventions for informal caregivers of people with dementia

In Ticino, about half of the people with dementia live at home. Their family members and/or neighbor friends play a key role in taking care of them. Because these people are not purposely trained to provide care to patients with dementia, they are referred to as informal caregivers. The aim of the iSupport project is to improve quality of care, reduce the physical and psychological strain of informal caregivers of people with dementia, and ultimately contribute to reduce the impact of dementia. iSupport is gh an online training and support programme accessible via computer, tablet or smartphone, or using a paper version. Prof. Albanese collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to create a generic version of iSupport. The translation and adaptation of iSupport to cultural, linguistic and contextual characteristics is a key step to make iSupport appropriate, accessile, usable, and meaningful at the local level.. The project is conducted throughout its 3 years duration in close collaboration with relevant local stakeholders and partners, including Pro Senectute.. In addition, iSupport envisages close collaboration between USI and SUPSI to ensure maximum integration of its contents in existing training programs and modules in health and social care disciplines, thorugh a dedicated, study-devised training module on the Moodle platform. The project is funded by the Ticino Canton (RG399, 29 January 2020 - Divisione dell’azione sociale e delle famiglie), Pro Senectute, and USI.