Assessing carers' training needs: A pilot inquiry

Abstract

This paper describes a study to assess the needs for training of family carers of people with dementia, as part of an EU project to develop a training package for carers. Although there is a great deal published about the stresses and burden of caring, there is an absence of tools for the assessment of needs for training. Focus groups of carers and professionals were used to identify the areas to be explored in semi-structured interviews with carers.Thirty additional carers were interviewed. All met the Carers' (Recognition and Services) Act definition of providing 'regular and substantial' care to their relative and the demographic characteristics of the sample were typical of those of national samples of 'informal carers'. Two-thirds of carers were willing to attend groups. All carers wanted information about dementia.The topics rated most highly after that were those about how to get help and the best way to interact with services. Carers also wanted specific information about managing their relative's dementia: memory aids, difficult behaviour and, to a lesser extent, managing risk and communication. Information about practical aspects of caring were rated more highly by the carers willing to attend groups. Coping with stress, loss and the carers' own emotions were also deemed important. Carers willing to attend groups said that they would read material and complete homework tasks.