Aims: Life expectancy for both sexes in Australia exceeds 80 years, with individuals with intellectual disability also increasingly living into older age. This research aimed to comparatively examine perceptions of staff supporting either older adults or age peers with lifelong intellectual disability. Methods: This project asked 420 medical,…

Family caregivers of physically and cognitively impaired older adults face multiple challenges when providing care, including responses to tangible and anticipated losses. However, little is known about the grief experiences of family caregivers and how these might differentially influence the care-related behaviors of spouses and adult children.…

Medicare spending is expected to increase by 79% between the years 2010 and 2020, caused, in-part, by hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge. This study identified factors contributing to hospital readmissions in a midwest heath service area (HSA), using Coleman's Transition Care Model as the theoretical framework. The researchers…

Research-informed policy and practice is needed for older caregivers of adult sons/daughters with disabilities. These caregivers are often under tremendous stress because of failing health, financial pressures, bereavement and worry about the future of their sons/daughters. Twenty-nine older parents/caregivers of 27 adults with intellectual and/or…

This study explored the relationship between four types of autonomy (health autonomy, informational autonomy, living autonomy, and financial autonomy) and the acceptance of five types of long-term care (adult day care, respite care, assisted living, unit care, and group home) for the elderly in Taiwan. Data were collected from 167 middle-aged and…

Purpose: The Veterans Affairs or VA health care system is in the process of significantly expanding home health care (HOC) nationwide. We describe VA HHC use in 2003 for all VA HHC users from 2002; we examine whether VA utilization across a broad spectrum of services differed for a sample of VA HHC users and their propensity-score-matched…

Assessed cognitive and functional status levels of Alzheimer's disease patients prior to admission to two-week in-hospital respite program and at conclusion of respite. Found that patients with poorest status tended to show improvement on some measures following respite. Patients with higher initial levels of performance tended to show slight…

Questionnaires were completed by 23 family members who had arranged for respite care for ill elderly relatives. Caregiver families used their respite for vacations, personal business, freedom from caregiving, and surgery. Eighteen wished to participate in respite again because they thought it the best available arrangement to maintain their mental…

Ninety-nine caregivers who utilized a respite service reported that respite care contributed to improved physical and mental health, better relationships, and increased confidence in their ability to continue in the caregiving role, while not affecting patients' physical or mental functioning. Reported likelihood of institutionalization increased…

Evaluates two respite programs which offer families temporary relief from caring for elderly relatives: an institutional program for those needing constant nursing attention, and a residential plan for those requiring housekeeping and companion services. Benefits for clients, family, and community appear to be indisputable. (Author/ABB)

Studied effects of five 12-month support strategy treatments on family caregivers (N=541) of impaired elderly persons. Found caregivers of elderly persons remaining in community reported lower levels of subjective burden. Found services delayed nursing home placement by adult child caregivers but encouraged placement by spouse caregivers.…

Recounts the aftermath of Hurricane Gloria and necessity of frail individuals to be hospitalized for respite care due to loss of home services. Advances a new category of respite care which includes care for losses related to natural disasters. Describes characteristics of individuals requiring such care and specific reasons for their care.…

Burden of caregivers was less when more visits were paid to the dementia patient by other relatives. Severity of behavioral problems was not associated with higher levels of burden. The results suggest the importance of providing support to caregivers as a critical step in community care. (Author)

Conducted baseline interviews with 642 caregivers of aged Alzheimer's disease patients, then assigned one-half to formal respite care. Over 12 months, families with respite care maintained Alzheimer's patient significantly longer in community than did caregivers without respite. Respite care was ineffective for caregiver burden and mental health,…

The New Jersey State Department of Health, Gerontology Program, awarded grants to 32 adult day care centers statewide for the provision of specialized service for victims of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers. The primary goals of the programs were to reduce caregiver burden through providing social supports and to…