Respite Care: Who Cares for the Caregiver?
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Joe Haralson (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Kathryn Lawrence
Abstract: Background: Respite care is a service that can assist the family member caring for a loved one requiring 24-hour care. Research has shown that this can positively affect the patient/caregiver relationship by supplying a short relief from the stressors of constant care and social isolation. Purpose: To increase the awareness of the no-cost respite care service offered by the local Department of Aging, thus increasing the utilization of this service.Method: During a one-month period in 2023, caregivers of individuals participating in a local rehabilitation clinic were identified as potentially benefiting from respite care. Those caregivers were issued a pamphlet with information on no-cost respite care and contact numbers for the local Department of Aging, by the rehab staff. Analysis was conducted for comparison between the number of new inquiries for the service in 2023 with inquiries during the same period in 2022.Result: Of the 1200 patients seen in the rehab facility, 18 caregivers were identified as potential beneficiaries of respite care services. Data analysis revealed that in 2022, there were 7 inquiries compared to the same time period in 2023, at 14 new inquires, indicating a 100% increase in inquiries for respite care with the pamphlet intervention compared to the previous year.Recommendations and Conclusions: It is recommended that a representative from the county’s Department of Aging schedule quarterly visits to local inpatient and outpatient rehab facilities, to supply pamphlets and answer questions from the rehab staff, with the purpose of increasing awareness in caregivers, and potentially improve no-cost respite care utilization.
Respite Care: Who Cares for the Caregiver?
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Created on 6/25/2024
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Other
- Language: English
- Date: 2024
- Keywords
- respite care, informal caregiver, elder care, rehabilitation, department of aging