Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

A Review of the Effects of Respite Care for Patients with Dementia and Caregivers: Jin Sun Kim, Eun Hyun Lee; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2001;31(6):1077-1087. Published online March 29, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2001.31.6.1077

Abstract PDF: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of respite care. The analysis was conducted by reviewing published intervention studies on the effects of formal respite care for caregivers of dementia patients, patients with dementia, and the prevented or delayed rate of institutionalization of the patients.
METHOD
Two computerized databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL) were searched to find respite care-related articles published from the year of 1981 to 2000. A total of 49 published articles were identified. Of them, nine studies, which met for the inclusion criteria of this study, were included.
RESULTS
Results revealed that there was little evidence of the effect of respite care on, not only caregivers' burden, stress, depression and well-being, but also the rate of institutionalization of the patients. It was noteworthy that dementia patients reported fewer problems in behavior, although cognitive functioning and activity of daily living abilities continued to decline. However, these findings should be carefully interpreted because of methodological problems, such as non-random sampling, non random group assignment, a small sample size, uncontrolled confounding variables, limited period of services, and no specific types of services.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended to conduct intervention studies of respite care being conducted in Korea with the corrections of methodological problems suggested from this study.

The Effects of the Day Care Service Program for the Elderly and Family with the Stroke: Compared with the Elderly and Family in Home: Yeon Hwan Park; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2003;33(7):990-998. Published online March 28, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2003.33.7.990

Abstract PDF: Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the day care service for the elderly and family with the stroke.
Method
Data were collected from September 2002 to March 2003 by self report questionnaires and interview. 50 elderlies and families(Gr I) who used day care center were compared with 51 elderlies and families (Gr II) who didn't used. The data were analyzed using independent sample t test and chi square test.
Result
The general characteristics, stressors, and situational variables related to outcome variables were homogeneous between two groups. The caregiver burden(t=-2.287, p=.024) score in the Gr I was significantly lower than in the Gr II. However there was no evidence of an effect day care center attendance on the depression of the elderly, the relationship between elderly and caregiver, and the family functioning.
Conclusion
Findings indicate that day care service was effective in reducing the caregiver burden of the elderly, however more day care service programs(elderly health management, rehabilitation...)will be added.

An Analysis of the Meaning of Respite for Family Caregivers of Elderly with Dementia: Mi Ryeong Song, Yong-Mi Lee, Suk-Hee Cheon; J Korean Acad Nurs 2010;40(4):482-492. Published online August 31, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.4.482

Abstract PDF: Purpose
This study was a qualitative research study in which focus group interviews were used to collect data on the meaning of respite for family caregivers who are taking care of elders with dementia.
Methods
The focus group interviews and participants consisted of 2 family caregiver groups, for a total of 8 people taking care of their elders and 5 professional caregivers working in a geriatrics hospital or social welfare institutions. Content analysis was used and debriefing notes were referred in order to analyze the data.
Results
The meaning of respite in this research was measured using 4 main categories: 'Temporary break from routine', 'direct help', 'psychological comfort', 'valuables which cannot be taken easily' and 9 subcategories: 'Temporary diversion of attention', 'temporarily free from my duty', 'taking care of oneself', 'receiving economic help', 'empathize with others', 'comfort based on trust', 'resting together with the elder', 'no time to rest', 'cannot get out of one's obligatory duty'.
Conclusion
The findings of the study show that rest means not only a temporary relief from caretaking, but also a real respite based on the patients' stable state and comfort. These results indicate a new meaning for respite, that the first step of respite program has to begin even when the caregivers do not recognize the need for respite.

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