TECHNOLOGY 4 WORKING CARERS
ABOUT THE RESEARCH
Working carers of a person living with dementia are faced with unique challenges when combining paid work and unpaid care. Technology has the potential to address some of these challenges.
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The aim of this research project is to investigate which technologies can best support working carers and to develop a self-help toolkit which will help working carers to find technological solutions suitable for their individual situation.
This work is part of the Sustainable Care Research Programme
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The Sustainable Care Research Programme (2017-2021), based at the University of Sheffield, is investigating how social care arrangements can be made economically and ethically sustainable and produce wellbeing outcomes for everyone involved. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Technologies have to be beneficial not only for the working carer but also for the person they are looking after. Technologies should also not have a negative impact on the carer's workplace or their care network.
To make sure that these aspects are taken into account, this research follows a participatory design approach. This means that everyone who might be impacted by the technologies will be included in discussions about their usefulness and usability to ensure that their needs and views are taken into account.
COMPLETED WORK
Read about the big milestones which have contributed to the findings of this research project:
Interviews with working carers of people living with dementia to find out
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what their challenges are when combining work and care
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which (if any) technologies they are using to better combine work and care and what their experiences are with these technologies
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how their autonomy at work impacts on their ability to use technologies and respond to care-related situations
A review of online care technology databases and conference abstracts to find out
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which technologies, already available, and
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which technologies, currently in development,
can help to address the challenges carers have identified during the interviews
MEET OUR RESEARCH TEAM
Carer
A person who provides unpaid care for a family member, friend or neighbour.
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Care worker
A person whose paid job involves caring for people who have particular problems or special needs.
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Dementia
Dementia is an overall term for diseases and conditions characterised by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking skills that affect a person's ability to perform everyday activities.
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Technology
In the context of this research project, 'technology' refers to electronic and/or digital devices and computer programmes.
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Working carer
A person who is in paid work and who also provides unpaid care for a family member, friend or neighbour.