If you have dementia or are an unpaid carer, you could take part in our latest research to help understand finance management in dementia and how the pandemic has affected spending habits.

What is the study about?

The aim of this one-off remote interview study is to explore your or a family members’ experience of managing finances since a dementia diagnosis and understand how the pandemic and restrictions may have impacted spending habits.

The study is carried by Dr Clarissa Giebel from the University of Liverpool and the National Institute for Health Research and Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast. By taking part in an approximately 45-minute interview, you can share your experiences of what it is like to live with or care for a person living with dementia and finance management tasks, including during the pandemic. We aim to finish recruitment by April and need to speak to a total of 40 unpaid carers and people with dementia.

What does the study involve?

The study involves you being interviewed on the telephone or via zoom/skype by The Chief Investigator, Dr Clarissa Giebel, or the post-doctoral researcher Lena O’Connell, at a date and time that suits you. The interview will last approximately 45 minutes, and it will be audio-recorded. This is so that the researcher can listen back afterwards and analyse the interview.

As part of this interview, we will ask you some questions about finance management in particular:

• Difficulties in managing finances,
• How the pandemic has specifically affected any spending or shopping habits and
• Power of Attorney in relation to finance management.

What do I do next?

If you agree to take part, please let a member of staff at the care organisation that contacted you know. They will then forward your contact details (telephone or email) to the lead researcher, who will contact you to arrange a suitable time and date for the telephone interview.

Alternatively, please email Clarissa Giebel directly:

Email: Clarissa.giebel@liverpool.ac.uk

Can I find out about the findings of the study?
Yes, we will produce a 2-page lay summary of the findings, which we are happy to send to you either in the post or via email if you would like to.

For more general concerns associated with your dementia or you caring role, or about any financial issues raised, please contact your GP, or any of the services below:

• National Dementia Helpline (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat & Sun 10am – 4pm):
Tel.: 0300 222 1122

• Dementia Information Line (Mon-Sun 8am – 7pm):
Tel.: 0844 887 0005

• TIDE Carers:
Tel.: 0151 237 2669
Email: carers@tide.uk.net
Webpage: https://www.tide.uk.net/

• Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Connect support line:
Tel.: 0333 150 3456

• NHS Carers Direct Helpline (Mon – Fri 9am – 8pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 4pm):
Tel.: 0300 123 1053

• Carers UK Advice Line:
Tel.: 0800 808 7777