La Trobe University researchers will visit Warracknabeal to launch the Virtual Dementia Friendly Rural Communities – Verily Connect – project.

They are seeking participants for the project, which will trial online technologies to support dementia carers in 12 rural communities across Australia.

Horsham and Edenhope are also part of the trial.

Principal investigator Irene Blackberry said a dementia-friendly rural community offered many benefits.

“If carers can be better supported, their capacity to care for people with dementia is greatly improved, reducing the need for more expensive and more disruptive residential care, or multiple acute care admissions,” she said.

Professor Blackberry said there were an estimated 200,000 informal carers of people with dementia in rural Australia.

As part of the trial, researchers will introduce three key initiatives including: a volunteer-led support and mentoring hub to help older people to use online technologies; a website and mobile app that helps carers of people living with dementia to find services and connect with other carers in their area; and online video-conference carer peer support groups.

Rural Northwest Health memory support nurse Katie Ramsdale is the Wimmera’s liaison support to the project.

She said she hoped many carers, volunteers and support services in the region would take part in the trial.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how technology can play a role in supporting and encouraging connection among those caring for people living with dementia, particularly in regional areas where there are barriers to services and support,” she said.

Professor Blackberry said carers, volunteers and service providers could learn more about the trial at a meeting at Rural Northwest Health’s Warracknabeal campus on August 2 at 1.30pm.