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Dr Barbora Silarova
Name:
Dr Barbora Silarova
Job Title:
ARC KSS Dementia Research Fellow
Place of work / study:
CHSS, University of Kent
Area of Research:
Physical and mental wellbeing of unpaid carers who support someone living with dementia.
How is your research funded:
I am a Dem Comm Fellow funded by the NIHR & Alzheimer’s Society
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a psychologist who works in adult social care research with particular interest in family members and friends who support someone living with dementia (unpaid carers). There are two key messages from unpaid carers that inspire my work: ‘carers are never asked what they needed/what they want’ and ‘you can’t pour from an empty jug.’
I started to be interested in a topic of wellbeing and health of unpaid carers who support someone living with dementia while working on projects that focused on understanding of unmet social care needs of people living with dementia and their unpaid carers (2019–to present). This has given me an incredible opportunity to build relationships with carers, health and adult social care professionals who support them and representatives from the voluntary sector across England. It has also enabled me to identify that there is a need for research that would specifically focus on physical and mental wellbeing of unpaid carers who support someone living with dementia.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I was a part of a folk/rock band and we played at concerts and festivals.
Why did you choose to work in dementia research?
I used to work on prevention of cardiovascular disease and an opportunity came up to apply for a job that focused on prevention of dementia – I wanted to apply what I learned in my previous work to dementia arena and to expand my own knowledge and skills in a new area. I then stayed in this field as I got inspired by stories of people living with dementia and their unpaid carers (family members and friends) and wanted to make a difference to their day to day life.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
I believe it is important to be happy – if it does not make you happy it is OK to change project/employer/career.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
The Thursday Murder club by Richard Osman (just started)
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Going for a walk in a nature
Favourite film of all time?
The Holiday
Dr Sam Moxon
