Caring for Carers – support to caregivers of older people suffering from dementia or stroke-related conditions

 “Caring for Carers” is a support project for people who provide care to older people suffering from dementia or physical limitations caused by a stroke. After such an event, the patient often enters a phase in which they gradually forfeit independence, so it is important at this key time to allow them to recover amongst those with whom they have ties of affection.

With the aim of keeping elderly patients in their own homes, or in the homes of family members, professional help is offered to the caregivers, who are normally spouses, children, siblings or neighbours. Institutional support is also possible whenever the caregiver needs a rest and training, information and psychological/educational support are also available. In the final phase of the project, the results will be disseminated and debated.

With financial support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, this project is managed by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in collaboration with São Sebastião Hospital, local health centres, and the councils and associations of five municipalities in the region between the rivers Douro and Vouga.