I am a PhD student in the Department of Primary Care and Population Health at University College London, researching how to better support carers of people living with dementia who live geographically apart from their loved ones. Prior to starting my PhD, I worked as a research assistant on the NIDUS study at UCL, helping family and professional carers to support people with dementia to remain living independently at home and at the Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London on the EMBED- Care project, that aimed to improve end of life care for people dementia. I have a bachelor’s in psychology and an MPhil in Clinical Psychology from the University of Karachi, Pakistan, and bring a cross-cultural, mental health-informed perspective to my research.
How can health and social care providers best support distance carers of people with dementia?
My PhD explores the experiences and needs of distance carers, who support people with dementia from a geographical distance. It aims to address the limited guidance available for health and social care professionals on engaging and supporting distance carers. The study involves three overlapping workstreams, 1) review of existing evidence and stakeholder consultations, 2) qualitative interviews with distance carers, people living with dementia, and professionals, and 3) co-production workshops to develop practical guidance for primary and social care providers. The findings will inform strategies to better integrate distance carers into care networks and enhance support for both carers and their care recipients across the UK.
University College London
Advisor: Sarah Griffiths
Contact: ayesha.dar.24@ucl.ac.uk
