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A digitally driven international research project led by the could provide respite for around two million carers living in the Asia鈥揚acific region.

The development of a virtual assistant tool that will support dementia carers in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Vietnam will be funded by a $2.5 million , comprising $1.8 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and $700,000 from four Asia鈥揚acific countries.

The tool, comprising a website and smart device app, will allow dementia carers to search topics using text or voice command and provide video instructions to support them in their caring roles.

The (WHO) reports that , with almost 10 million new cases every year. Alongside many of these cases are unpaid family carers, who carry the heavy burden of undertaking this thankless role. In the next 12 months, it is estimated that an ageing population will boost this statistic by 20%, adding to the psychological stress, loss of productivity and lost income for countless families across the globe.

Principal investigator , a UniSA Senior Research Fellow specialising in dementia, will lead a multidisciplinary team of researchers, consumers and software developers to design the virtual assistant tool and translate it into Bahasa, Maori and Vietnamese.

鈥淭he aim is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of informal carers of people with dementia,鈥� Dr Nguyen explained.

鈥淒ementia is a global public health priority and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. It affects around 10% of people aged 65 years and older, and places a huge burden on their families.

鈥淢ost people with dementia are cared for by unpaid family members, and in low- and middle-income countries, where aged-care facilities and other support services are lacking, the impacts can be devastating,鈥� he said.

Successful intervention models have already been developed to support dementia carers, but they are resource intensive. Some models, for example, require interventionists going into carers鈥� homes over a period of three months. The costs are unsustainable, according to the WHO, which is looking for an alternative.

鈥淐arer interventions delivered online or via app could overcome these barriers faced by carers, which also include lack of transport, finance and the inability to leave their relative who has dementia. Also, they are the only option in crises like the COVID-19 pandemic we are experiencing this year, when social isolation policies are in place,鈥� Dr Nguyen said.

The digital platform for carers is driven by the widespread use of smartphones, with more than five billion of the world鈥檚 population using mobile devices, including 83% of people in the Asia鈥揚acific region.

Dr Nguyen said an existing self-learning online skills training and support program for informal dementia carers will be more accessible with the help of a virtual assistant tool translated into different languages. It will also provide real-time and peer support.

鈥淲e want to ensure quality care for people with dementia, no matter their location, income or crises facing them,鈥� he said.

The project is expected to be completed in three years.

Image credit: 漏stock.adobe.com/au/Africa Studio