Dilemmas in Using Respite for Family Caregivers of Frail Elders

Abstract

Respite use was explored with a group of vulnerable caregivers. Using a grounded theory approach, inresidence caregivers were interviewed about obtaining respite while caring for elders with severe cognitive or physical impairments. Respite use was influenced by caregivers' ways of knowing the receivers of care and concerns that potential helpers would not be aware of the complexities of care; feelings of imposing on helpers or feeling imposed on by helpers; and desire for matching the helper and the receiver for the greatest comfort of both. Caregivers' central concern was conservation of resources and energy. Processes involved in using respite more often depleted than conserved caregivers' resources and energy. Implications of the findings are applied to ways to reduce the vulnerability of caregivers to negative impacts of caregiving through facilitating acquisition of respite and improving the quality of respite experiences.