Purpose: Although it is widely recognized that caregivers of individuals with dementia experience elevated stress that places them at increased risk for health problems, little is known about how caregiving stress may be alleviated among underserved ethnic minority populations. The purpose of this study was to compare a complementary 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…

Purpose: We assess how perceived rewards and problems with caregiving work and supervision relate to intent to leave among direct care workers who are employed in provider organizations participating in the Better Jobs Better Care (BJBC) demonstration; we also examine how these relationships vary by provider type. Design and Methods: Direct care…

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,…

Examined use of time among female caregivers of dementia patients who used home care (n=20) and day care (n=20) respite services. Assessment of caregiver activity during respite and nonrespite days revealed significant program differences in amount of caregiving time and overall differences in amount of noncaregiving time. Use of respite time was…

Examined the utilization patterns of caregivers (N=597) to dementia victims when services were available. Identified and examined factors influencing service utilization, including amount of burden experienced by the caregiver, the degree of involvement in the care of the patient, and the amount of resources available. Respite-oriented services…

Reanalyzed data from a study on respite care's effects by focusing on the linear relationship between amount of respite use and probability of nursing home placement at the end of the treatment period. Results indicate a significant negative relationship between the amount of respite use and nursing home placement. (RJM)

Surveyed 244 Michigan agencies providing geriatric information and referral (I&R) to determine service availability, families' needs, and problems providing I&R for persons with dementia and their families. Home-delivered meals, nursing, and social work assessments were considered most available. Medical assessment was considered "very available"…