Background: The role of family carers is increasing importance all over Europe as they contribute progressively more on to the sustainability and efficiency of national health systems. In Germany, web-based support services for carers are still unconventional.

Methods: Around 20 carers of older people were recruited adopting convenience and snowballing approaches. They received the following services: information resources; individual support via e-mail and private messages; group support via social network. Additionally, two sub-groups of 3 people each attended a series of weekly sessions of group support via video-conferencing. Periodical reminders to carers were sent for improving participationto the community.

Results: The web platform was well accepted by users. Carers reported they benefitted a lot from the exchange with other carers which was made possible by interactive services offered. Some users felt empowered because they became able to reflect on their own situation, they could receive helpful advice from peers and the moderator, and they could recognise themselves experience to be shared with other people in need. Weekly video-conferencing group sessions were perceived as very helpful and provided a short break fromcaring.

Conclusions: Web-based support services seem to havea great potential in the German context. However, difficulties in recruiting carers indicates a probable widespread scepticism towards web-based initiatives addressing carers. Low digital skills in older carers isanother main barrier which should be taken into account.