Strategies For Relatives (START)

The project supports strengthening Nepal’s public health system by addressing dementia care and the mental well-being of family caregivers—an emerging and under-recognized health issue. It focuses on generating locally relevant evidence, engaging communities, and building capacity through the cultural adaptation and testing of the START intervention. This community-based approach enhances caregivers’ skills, supports their mental health, and improves the health system’s response to age-related and chronic conditions.

It aligns with Article 35 of the Constitution of Nepal, Sustainable Development Goals Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and Nepal’s 16th Action Plan by promoting mental health, community-based care, and health system resilience. The project also strengthens local research capacity and contributes to long-term public health development through knowledge generation and dissemination.

Overall, the project is expected to produce a culturally appropriate and feasible intervention that reduces caregiving burden, improves caregivers’ mental health and skills, lowers care-related costs, and enhances the quality of life for both caregivers and people living with dementia.