The DISCOVER project aims to enhance the quality of life of both carers and cared for individuals by developing carers' digital and caring skills. The project involves partners from Greece, Spain, Holland, UK, and Ireland. Carers provide care for family, friends or neighbors and often experience issues like physical health problems, stress, anxiety and depression. Feedback from carers indicated the DISCOVER resources provided helpful new knowledge and many felt more supported in their caring roles and would recommend the program. Moving forward, DISCOVER seeks to work with other organizations while maintaining flexibility to tailor the program for each country.

1. Enhancing carers' and cared for people's quality of
life through developing carers’ digital and caring
skills -The DISCOVER project
Dr Verina Waights,
The Open University

2. DISCOVER
Pilot Site
Pilot Site
Pilot Site
Pilot Site
Partners: Greece (1), Spain (2), Holland (1), UK (3), and Ireland (1).

3. Family carers
 Caring for family, friends
or neighbours
 not defined by gender,
age, race, ethnicity, culture or
economic grouping
 Long standing physical health
problems, stress, anxiety and
depression (Pinquart & Sorensen; 2003, Mencap 2013)
 Likely to be financially less well off or living in poverty
 Likely to be socially isolated due to caring role

4. The Skills Zone

5. Local and National Services
My map of local services
Websites of national organisations

6. Using the web

7. Quick reads and videos

8. Reducing the risk of falls

9. Findings: knowledge and recommendations
0
20
40
60
80
100
more
supported
carer/care
worker
cared-for
person
employer
Carers (%)
Carers feel more supported/would recommend DISCOVER
Family
Employed
0
20
40
60
80
100
services websites computing
skills
technologies
for care
health
Carers (%)
Carers new knowledge
Family
Employed

10. Carer and Stakeholder views
The amount of information in the resources is impressive… I will definitely be
using it in my caring role Granddaughter carer, UK
All of these [topics] are good for beginners [new carers]… these will help to solve
problems as they arise. Older family carer, Netherlands
It is an amazing concept, bringing it [Services etc] all together
Carer outreach worker, UK
DISCOVER can improve caregivers’ skills and the quality of the services
Care manager, Spain
I have learned a great deal of new information [about] the condition of the
person I care for Caregiver, Greece

11. Findings -wellbeing
Statement
Over the last two weeks…
Carers who felt this
all or most of the
time
Carers who felt this
only some of the
time or never
Family
carers
Employed
carers
Family
carers
Employed
carers
I have felt cheerful and in good spirits
I have felt calm and relaxed
I have felt active and vigorous
I woke up feeling fresh and rested
My daily life has been filled with things that
interest me
44%
44%
39%
25%
35%
48%
43%
58%
26%
59%
26%
12%
13%
21%
17%
1%
8%
1%
1%
3%

12. Moving forward
DISCOVER
 Core shape but flexibility to be tailored for each
country
 Working with other organisations that support
formal and informal carers
 Providing a specialist service that complements
existing provision and can be embedded by provider
Challenges
 Improving confidence of carers to use technologies
 Raising awareness of opportunities from being
online/using telehealth and telecare

13. Using DISCOVER