dr. A. (Anne) Looijmans

The Caregiver balance ( MantelzorgBalans ) project

Many informal caregivers provide care for a loved one in the palliative phase out of love, even though the burden of providing informal care can be (too) high. Together with caregivers and experts, we developed the tool MantelzorgBalans to support informal caregivers at the start of the palliative phase of their loved one, in order to decrease caregiver burden and increase positive caregiving experiences in informal caregivers. MantelzorgBalans supports the caregiver by challenging them to think about their own goals, about setting their boundaries, balancing their activities and how they would like to stay on contact with their social environment. The tool provides information on all topics that might be relevant in this phase, and it offers a place to store your personal memories. The tool has been evaluated.

Implementation of Caregiver balance in diverse settings

We received funding to continue with the implementation of MantelzorgBalans in diverse settings among diverse groups of professionals, like the GP-assistant, social workers, home care workers and nurse specialists. Together with professionals and caregivers in these diverse settings, we will explore how Mantelzorgbalans could be best introduced and how caregivers could be best supported using the tool. This project will run from May 1, 2024 to November 1, 2026.

Project duration: May 1, 2024 to November 1, 2026
Grants: ZonMw 844001404, and ZonMw 10200012320019

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European Training Network - ENTWINE - Informal Care

The aim of the ENTWINE consortium (https://entwine-itn.eu/) was to investigate a broad spectrum of challenges in informal caregiving and issues concerning the development and use of innovative psychology-based and technology-based interventions that support willingness and opportunity to provide informal care. The focus was on overcoming barriers following a user-centered, stakeholder-driven implementation and agile science approach to promote the adoption and implementation of innovative solutions to support informal caregivers. I was involved as the project manager of the consortium and as co-supervisor of ESR9, Srishti Dang.

End date of the project: March 1, 2023
Grant: ENTWINE receives funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 814072.

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 The Untire Project

In this international trial, we studied whether the Untire App can help (former) cancer patients to reduce their cancer-related fatigue and improve their quality of life. The training in the Untire App is based on mindfulness based cognitive therapy and contains education, stress-reduction exercises, a program to increase physical activity and daily tips. The Untire app was helpful in reducing fatigue and increasing quality of life.

End date of the project: August 2020