Lay summary
New Zealand has a fast growing ageing and dementia population. Family carers of people with dementia have little support and intervention despite high levels of distress associated with their role. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a group psychotherapy which shows promise as a cost effective, resilience boosting intervention for family carers. Flow on benefits are anticipated for the people affected by dementia, as well as economic savings for the country by reducing transfer to aged residential care. Studies will include literature review and consultation with key stakeholders to adapt MBCT to a carer and NZ context, followed by a pilot RCT to test the acceptability of this intervention and potential for effectiveness.