The iSupport for Dementia program developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) was designed to equip carers with knowledge, skills and capabilities in the care of family members living with dementia at home. This study addresses the gaps in the program including need for improved user friendliness and real-time problem-solving functionalities. The aim of the current paper is to describe the development of a web-based application titled “empowering Dementia Carers with an iSupport Virtual Assistant (e-DiVA)”, tailored for dementia carers in Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Vietnam.
The study adhered to the UK Medical Research Council's guidance for development and evaluation of complex interventions, employing a co-design methodology involving carers in the development of e-DiVA. Key stages of this co-design process encompassed translating the standard iSupport program into local languages ensuring cultural relevance, adapting content according to WHO's iSupport adaptation framework, conducting qualitative research through focus groups, iteratively developing the e-DiVA app based on carer feedback and member-checking with dementia carers and professionals.
The collaborative efforts culminated in creation of the e-DiVA app, which delivers tailored interventions aligned with carer needs. Accessible across diverse devices, the web-based app offers text or voice-command search options yielding outcomes in text, picture, or video formats with detailed instructions. Additional features include integrated links to health and social care services, online peer support and a diary function for users. This initiative signifies a substantial stride in bolstering support for dementia carers in the Asia-Pacific region, holding promise for improving their caring experiences and outcomes.