New research enhances support services for dementia care partners

Professor Kirsten Robertson understands that good dementia support is about far more than services alone. It is about trust, connection, and making sure people feel safe asking for help when they need it most. 

A professor at the University of Otago’s Department of Marketing, with a background in psychology, Kirsten has spent years researching issues where she believes evidence can improve people’s lives. 

Her connection with Alzheimers Otago began through governance and community involvement, eventually serving as Chair of the organisation’s board. That close involvement exposed her to the realities facing families caring for someone living with dementia mate wareware – and it inspired research that would go on to influence the organisation’s approach to support services. 

Kirsten’s study explored the barriers and facilitators/aids affecting whether care partners accessed dementia support services. Based on interviews with 19 care partners, her research uncovered the emotional, practical and social pressures that often prevent people from seeking help, even when they desperately need it. 

“What came through very strongly was the loneliness, grief, shame, and exhaustion many caregivers experience,” she says. “Many felt they should be able to cope on their own and didn’t want to burden others by asking for help.” 

Her research identified six findings that now shape the way Alzheimers Otago thinks about support services for care partners and people living with dementia mate wareware. 

• One: The importance of trusted, relationship-based support workers – someone care partners could speak honestly with, without fear of judgement. One care partners described their support worker as someone who understood what they were going through and could guide them through their difficult journey. 
• Two: The need for proactive support. The organisation expanded proactive “keeping-in-touch” calls through dedicated volunteers, diversified support groups and activities, increased education programmes for caregivers and health professionals, and developed more tailored and meaningful services for people living with dementia.   
• Three and Four: The need for more tailored services, better targeted support groups and social groups – such as dementia cafes – recognising that every dementia journey is different and that care partners benefit enormously from connecting with others who genuinely understand their experiences. 
• Five: The need for greater education around dementia, grief, loss, finances, legal matters, and the progression of the condition.  
• Six: The research also highlighted the need for wider community understanding of dementia and better awareness among health professionals of available support services. Many care partners were also unaware organisations such as Alzheimers Otago even exist. 

Since the research was completed, Alzheimers Otago has used the findings to help guide and strengthen its service development.  It now provides specific dementia education and training to its staff and volunteers, which all helps lift the overall quality of care provided. 

The organisation expanded proactive “keeping-in-touch” calls through dedicated volunteers, diversified support groups and activities, increased education programmes for caregivers and health professionals, and developed more tailored and meaningful services for people living with dementia.  

Initiatives have included new support groups, music and movement programmes, educational podcasts, increased community outreach, and stronger public awareness campaigns. 

Kirsten says the study demonstrated how evidence-based, person-centred support can significantly improve wellbeing for care partners, reduce isolation, and help whānau feel supported earlier in their dementia mate wareware journey.