220351 Emergency and Scheduled Respite Care for Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: A Model

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Benjamin King , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Piyush Gupta , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Katherine McBride , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Damoon Rejaei , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Jennifer Springer , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Tyler Stewart , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Diana Swett , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Thomas V. Delaney, PhD , Pediatrics, VCHIP, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Linda Martinez, RN , Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, VT, Colchester, VT
William Pendlebury, MD , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Jan K. Carney, MD MPH , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
     
Background. The majority of long-term care for people with dementia is provided by families and friends. As the population of elderly U.S. citizens grows, paralleled by an increase in the prevalence of dementia, the role of respite care within the healthcare system will increase in importance. Respite care is defined as providing the primary caregiver with a reprieve from care commitments on a short-term or emergency basis. Caregiver respite has been shown to decrease burnout, anxiety and depression and is considered vital to the overall well-being of the caregiver. Objective. To assess the demand for, existing resources for, cost of, and barriers against emergency and scheduled respite care in Vermont. Methods. We collected information through three distinct survey instruments and a focus group. Fifty two caregivers of persons with dementia, fourteen adult day program site directors, and four nursing homes were consulted. Results. There were 38 caregiver emergencies within the last year for clients of the adult day programs surveyed. Sixty-eight percent of surveyed caregivers were interested in using a night and weekend respite care program for scheduled breaks and emergencies. The main concern regarding the development or use of such respite care was the cost. Discussion. Our results support the notions that caregivers in our study experienced burnout and that there is a need for additional opportunities and flexibility for respite care. We propose addressing this issue with a model based on volunteer host families in order to increase affordable respite care options available to caregivers in our region.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Define the role of respite care for people with dementia Discuss study findings related to caregiver burnout Evaluate the efficacy of the proposed model for use in rural settings in the U.S.

Keywords: Aging, In-Home Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I was part of the research team for this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4095.0: Special Topics in Public Health and Aging