Caregiving Load and Respite Service Use: A Comparison between Older Caregivers and Younger Caregivers

Study aims were to explore differences in predictors of respite care use between older (aged 65+) and younger caregivers (aged 18–64 years), and associations between caregiving load and respite care use using multivariate logistic regression analysis and unpaid caregiver (n= 10,500) data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey. Caregiving load comprised number of care recipients, weekly hours in caregiving, and caregiving duration. Variables with a significant association with respite care for older caregivers were female gender, income, and health insurance. For younger caregivers, respite care use associations were with ethnicity, caregiving relationship, education, and availability of substitute help.     

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Various Approaches to Visiting Isolated Community Elderly

Two studies were conducted evaluating the effectiveness of friendly visitor programs in increasing clients' life satisfaction. Study 1 found no difference between face-to-face visiting, phone visiting, and a no treatment control on client life satisfaction. Study 2 found a marginally significant difference in favor of a personal history approach over a companionship approach to visiting in increasing client life satisfaction. Clients' living situation (alone or with others) had no effect on changes in life satisfaction in Study 1. However, in Study 2 clients who lived with someone increased their life satisfaction more than clients who lived alone.     

Older Peoples’ Descriptions of Becoming and Being Respite Care Recipients

The number of older people in the western world is increasing. Advancing age creates the need for care, including respite care. The aim of this study is to describe the experience of older people of becoming and being respite care recipients. Admission to respite care is a response to a range of practicalities in the home, such as the need to maintain privacy, dissatisfaction with home care, and deterioration in health. However, the participants in this study had little or no involvement in the decision regarding respite care placement. Activities, training, and medical treatment were found to be important to respite care recipients’ satisfaction with their care.     

The impact of a respite volunteer ‘buddy’ programme on behavioural and psychological well-being in young carers

Young carers often face a great amount of emotional burden and have high practical and social responsibilities. The role of being a young carer is associated with behavioural, developmental, physical and psychosocial problems that may not only affect the individual in childhood but also in adulthood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a Danish respite volunteer programme called The Buddies for Children and Youngsters Programme on young carers' (n = 49; aged 6–16) social–emotional functioning. A pre–post-design was applied, and data were collected through the parent version of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), here with an impact supplement at baseline and at the end of the programme (after 4 months). The programme showed a positive impact on emotional symptoms, hyperactivity symptoms, conduct problems, peer problems, prosocial aspects and impact aspects, with mean differences values of −2.50 (p = .000), −0.62 (p = .271), −1.18 (p = .000), −0.74 (p = .008), 0.62 (p = .004) and −0.88 (p = .007), respectively. Furthermore, a large effect was found for the total difficulties score: −5.03 (p = .000). In conclusion, the programme seems promising considering its effect on young carers' social–emotional functioning. However, future research should include comparative studies with a longer duration.     

Recovery during a short period of respite: The interactive roles of mindfulness and respite experiences

Abstract

Work-induced exhaustion and diminished vigour require recovery periods to offset future deleterious consequences for mental and physical health. It is therefore important to understand the factors that effect recovery. This study sought insight into the roles of the personal trait of mindfulness (which refers to paying attention to present experiences) and situational circumstances (respite experiences) that facilitate recovery during a short period of respite, expressed in decreased exhaustion and increased vigour. Two hundred nursing employees from 27 units of a hospital in the northern part of Israel responded to three sets of questionnaires before, during and after two-day periods of respite. Results showed that the nurses' level of exhaustion decreased and level of vigour increased after the short respite, indicating a successful recovery. Mixed Linear Model analyses identified the nature of respite activities and experiences (fewer non-work hassles and relaxation) and mindfulness as crucial catalysts of the recovery process. Mindfulness moderated the effects of non-work hassles and relaxation experiences on the levels of exhaustion and vigour after the short respites. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings for the recovery process are discussed.     

Architectural Space in Respite and Intermediate Care: An Actor-Network Theory Analysis

This article presents an analysis of 2 short-term care facilities using actor-network theory with the aim of revealing performative processes in different networks in the buildings in use. The 2 facilities differed in architectural design, which was expected to influence their care model and organization. One facility was larger and accommodated 4 patients/residents in double rooms as well as permanent residents who stayed in single rooms. The other facility was smaller and accommodated only short-term care patients in single rooms. The study revealed that the latter facility received more care-demanding people than the other. The size and the type of patients/residents influenced the social environment. The larger facility was more busy and lively than the smaller one. However, the analysis did not show any difference in quality of care or ambiance. Both facilities were valued as either good or bad by different residents or staff members. The study concludes that therapeutic values and outcomes are defined and redefined in the ongoing performances of everyday interactions.     

TimeOut@UCLA: An Intergenerational Respite Care and Workforce Development Program

TimeOut@UCLA is an intergenerational program that recruits undergraduate college students to provide companionship to older adults with early Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia in a community setting, providing respite for their caregivers. In the program, 86 students and 89 seniors participated from September 2015 to December 2016. This program appears to reinforce positive attitudes about working with older adults among undergraduate students and gives caregivers an innovative option for respite time.     

A place to heal: a qualitative focus group study of respite care preferences among individuals experiencing homelessness*

Homeless patients have longer hospital stays than housed persons due, in part, to a lack of safe discharge locations. Respite care for homeless individuals decreases hospital length of stay and readmissions rates. This study aimed to develop client-centered recommendations for medical respite care. We conducted four focus group interviews (n?=?25 participants) between August 2010 and February 2013 of homeless adult residents in Minnesota. Four domains of respite care were identified from content analysis of interviews: physical, relational, facilitation, and amenities. Novel recommendations include (a) a facility equipped to address mental health and substance dependence needs, (b) a standardized training protocol for respite staff, (c) the creation of a patient advocate, and (d) the creation of a respite case manager to facilitate post-discharge instructions and connection to primary care and social services. These new and actionable recommendations could help inform policies and the development of future medical respite care facilities.