Dementia carer video 'Finding My Way' by NARI demystifies the role | VIDEO

Rightly or wrongly, negative stereotypes exist surrounding the role's responsibility, and there is not necessarily an honest understanding of what a carer's role entails, as told by someone in the front line.

But a new video has been released to challenge this.

Finding My Way: Sharing tips on supporting people living with dementia, shares the experiences of family carers for people living with dementia, including the challenging, positive, and rewarding aspects of caring.

Ten family carers (eight current; two bereaved) aged between 50 and 80 years old, who have cared for a person living with dementia, tell their stories and insights.

Developed as part of the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI)'s 'Creative Caring' study, the video was co-designed with family carers, through the guidance of a project advisory group.

Head of the 'Creative Caring' project, NARI Associate Professor Kirsten Moore, said the short film documents how varied the carer journey can be, as well as the strength, resilience, and compassion of those who give their time to support people living with dementia.

"Many individuals assume the role of carer unexpectedly, when a loved one's condition worsens. And whilst there is no instruction manual for being a carer, this video is able to offer words of advice and encouragement for those who are taking on this role," Associate Professor Moore said.

The video aims to provide insight into the experience of caring, whilst countering many of the overly negative portrayals and assumptions of the dementia caring experience.

"Carers can feel isolated in this role, so we wanted to highlight that there is no one way of caring, nor is there any single experience of dementia," Associate Professor Moore said.

"Many of the participants spoke to a feeling of judgement from friends or family who didn't understand the experience of caring for someone with dementia. It's important for those of us on the outside to offer our support without judgement or assumption."

Whilst this video was made with and for family carers, it is also crucial for those who do not have experience with caring to reframe the stigmas, and offer a greater understanding of the compassion and generosity of the many Australians who take on this role.

Finding My Way carer advisor Cathy Roth OAM described the video as a "brilliant resource this will be for anyone who is starting, or travelling, along the carer journey, as well as being a magnificent means of showing those who are not on that journey its challenges and its joys".

"This timeless resource will be one of both reassurance and information for so many."

NARI is focused on developing person-centred research and resources, and executive director Professor Briony Dow says amplifying the voices of carers is a vital part of this.

"The rhetoric around caregiving is often solely focused on the difficulties carers face, but this video also showcases a different side of the experience. Participants revealed how rewarding and fulfilling caregiving has been, which will be an empowering thing for other carers to see," Professor Dow said.

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