Summarizes articles from 1980 to 1990 on psychosocial interventions and respite care for caregivers. Review is limited to controlled studies that attempted to change emotional distress in caregivers. Cumulatively, studies reviewed suggest that individual psychosocial interventions and respite programs are moderately effective; psychosocial…

Many families provide lifelong support to their relative with an intellectual disability. However, relatively little information is available for national populations on the characteristics of the people for whom these families care and the supports they receive or need. A database of all persons in receipt of intellectual disability services has…

The paper describes a respite care cooperative in Orange County, California in which parents of handicapped children help other parents by providing a break from continuous care. The model features ongoing training and no cost for services. Goals and principles of the program are delineated, and procedures regarding such aspects as application…

Ten papers are presented from a 1979 conference on services for families of developmentally disabled persons. R. Bruininks ("The Needs of Families") addresses aspects of direct and support services to families. "Social and Psychological Factors in Family Care" by C. Horejsi suggests that a family's or individual's ability to deal successfully with…

The manual considers the development of a respite care program for families of developmentally disabled children. The development of a respite program in the Archdiocese of Denver (CO) is reviewed in terms of policy development, a pilot phase, and problem areas (lack of consumer interest and funding). The rationale for respite care is described…

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…

Parents of severely disabled or chronically ill children need to find competent baby-sitters for respite as well as opportunities to spend time with other family members. Baby-sitters, who may be found among supportive professionals, community groups, and college sutdents, may be trained to deal with specific child care concerns. (CL)

The author, the mother of a cerebral palsied child, considers the conflicts which arise for parents in using respite care. Noted among the reasons why respite care use is difficult for parents are feelings of guilt, conflicts in mothering, self-punishment for having a handicapped child, identification with the child, and separation from the child.…

The 10 models of respite care for families of the retarded identified include: respite placement agencies, group day care, community residences, residential treatment facilities, group residential care, nursing homes, private inhome care, state institutions, camperships, and funding conduit. (Author/DB)

Respite care is one resource or support service designed to help the family in its role as primary caregiver to severely disabled individuals. Aspects of respite care needing improvement are time allotted per family, more qualified/skilled respite care workers, and choice of type of service. (SB)

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…

Results of a survey of 2,800 parents of children with disabilities found that families are essentially pleased with their respite services, but are dissatisfied with the services' lack of flexibility, arbitrary limits on use, inability to respond to crises, lack of parental voice in forming or reforming services, etc. (JDD)

Obtained data on family caregiver stress from 23 family caregivers before, during, and following respite. Findings suggest that stress was moderated by in-hospital respite program for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Although short-term benefits may be realized for caregivers, in-hospital Alzheimer's respite care may present particular risk for…

Describes recent research findings which verify that the loss of leisure for caregivers relates to stress and health problems, discussing what parks and recreation professionals can do to help family caregivers lead balanced lives and examining psychological and physical effects of caregiving, caregivers' lack of leisure, the relationship between…

Transition is a dynamic lifelong process that seeks to meet individual needs as a person with disabilities moves from childhood to adulthood. Per laws in most states, once an individual becomes 18 years of age that person is considered an adult regardless of the level of his or her disability. Initiating planning for adult living activities and…