Determinants of the Need for Respite Among Carers of People with Dementia

Respite is effective in alleviating the stress caused by caring for a person with dementia. A questionnaire survey examined the factors associated with the use of, and unmet need for, respite. In the past year, one third of carers had used respite monthly or more; 20% indicated an unmet need for respite at least monthly. Frequent users were likely to be female, providing care for a more elderly person, and obtaining respite from family and friends rather than from formal sources, Unmet need was associated with depression, restricted social activities, family illness, and negative perceptions of formal respite services. Flexibility may be the key element in enabling formal respite services to reduce unmet need.