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RESEARCHERS ARE LOOKING to recruit 300 people for a study on stress levels among those caring for a spouse or partner suffering from dementia.
The three-year project is being being undertaken by Trinity College’s Institute for Neuroscience. The ‘De-Stress’ study will look at the stress levels and cognitive functions of dementia caregivers.
It’s hoped the findings will lead to new ways to improve quality of life for both the carer and the sufferer.
Informal caregivers over the age of 50 who provide care for their spouse or partner at home are eligible to take part in the study, which is part funded by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
“You can’t treat the person with dementia without taking the caregiver into consideration,” Trinity Professor Brian Lawlor said.
“Ultimately, we want to improve the quality of life of the person with dementia and their caregiver, allowing the person with dementia to be able to stay at home with a good quality of life for as long as possible.”
There are currently almost 42,00 people in Ireland with dementia. Of that number, over 26,000 live at home.
Anyone seeking more information, or who may be interested in taking part in the study, is being asked to contact project coordinator Dr Maria Pertl.
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God I think sometimes how incredibly difficult it must be to be a full-time carer. It must be so tough.
Anything that might increase our awareness of the difficulties the role of carer has on a person is a good thing. What a great move in society if we could make it as enjoyable as possible for those carers.
I personally haven’t had any first hand experiences in caring for someone, neither has anyone in my immediate family but I’ve seen and heard what is required to look after some people and it is a mammoth task.
Massive respect to anyone who takes on the role of carer. Absolute and utter heroes.
Adult children care for elderly parents too not just spouses. It’s very difficult to see your roles reverse and then see your parent fade away . Even harder to deal with things like hallucinations or the fact that they think you are an old school mate whom they hated . Watching their fear as they realise what’s happening is the hardest of all though.
I wish the government would stop making the Carers suffer.Cutting all their allowances and no respite and one hours home support a week.Shameful way they treat these people stressing them out even more.
I welcome this study wholeheartedly as I’ve seen what its like first hand to see a family member suffer with this horrific disease. What I don’t agree with is the study being solely for partners and spouses of sufferers. Lots of children and grandchildren look after sufferers too, why can they not be included??.. Just a thought…
Dementia. A most horrible way to end your life. A living hell for the sufferer and their families. I would sign a living will today if it meant I could be euthanized in the event of dementia. There is no sense in continuing with that life, nothing but misery and indignity and utter pointlessness.
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