Respite care is one of a range of support services typically available to carers of people with dependencies who need a break from caring, and the factors that influence the need for respite care are generally similar irrespective of the nature of the dependencies. Hence, the expectations of families potentially have policy and service provision…

In this study, a family support program was carried out for primary caregivers of children with disabilities. The program included respite care, recreation programs, counseling, and social support coordination based on individual needs of each family. In order to verify the intervention effects, parenting stress and family quality of life were…

Background: Many family carers find the support they receive in respect of their child's challenging behaviour unhelpful. This study sought to identify carer perceptions of the ways in which support is unhelpful and how it could be more helpful. Methods: Thirteen mothers, caring for a child with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour,…

The authors describe how 3 groups of family caregivers (spouses, daughters, and sons) are affected by the caregiving role. In addition, clinical considerations and interventions for mental health professionals working with these different groups of family caregivers are discussed. A clinical case example is also presented. (Contains 2 tables.)

Special Training for Exceptional People (STEP) is a private, nonprofit agency serving children with developmental disabilities (0-22 years) and their families in the south-central section of Montana, encompassing Billings and a Crow Indian Reservation. One of the services provided by STEP is specialized family care, to prevent placement out of…

In early 2000, the Center on Human Policy started to receive reports that children with complex medical needs were being placed in nursing homes because of home care nursing shortages. Sensing that framing the issue as a nursing shortage directed solutions that revolved around nursing agency staff recruitment and retention strategies, the authors…