Views of residential respite for older people living with dementia and carers during Covid-19: findings from an interview-based study

Description

Residential respite care, or a short stay in a care home, can benefit older people living with dementia and their carers. It provides both with a break and is seen as a way of supporting people living with dementia to stay at home for longer, potentially delaying a long-term move to a care home. However, little is known about residential respite services, especially their availability, access, components and cost. As part of a 2-year study funded by Alzheimer’s Society, we conducted telephone and video-call interviews with five people living with dementia and 36 family carers in 2020 in different parts of England, about their views, experiences, and expectations of residential respite. These included those who had used residential respite and those who had not or had turned it down. We also asked people how the Covid-19 pandemic had affected present and future choices. Data were analysed thematically and early findings indicated: (1) head vs heart spectrum of emotional and intellectual reactions to accepting residential respite, (2) worries about respite being a break in continuity of care, (3) residential respite offering a breathing space to make a longer-term care decision, (4) respite being declined relating to the availability of other care options (support from family, home care workers). Participants described being stretched as other sources of care and support became limited or unavailable due to the pandemic, and most were anxious about the safety of residential respite in care homes. Findings are presented in the context of practice and policy implications.

Period	7 Jul 2021
Event title	British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference 2021
Event type	Conference
Degree of Recognition	International