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Song, Lee, and Cheon: An Analysis of the Meaning of Respite for Family Caregivers of Elderly with Dementia
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2010; 40(4): 482-492.

Published online: 31 August 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.4.482

An Analysis of the Meaning of Respite for Family Caregivers of Elderly with Dementia

Mi Ryeong Song1, Yong-Mi Lee2, Suk-Hee Cheon3

1Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Hoseo University, Asan, Korea.

2Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea.

3Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Sangji University, Wonju, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Lee, Yong-Mi. Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, 192-1 Hyoja-dong, Chuncheon 200-701, Korea. Tel: 82-33-250-8889, Fax: 82-33-242-8840, rena@kangwon.ac.kr

Received 15 March 2010       Accepted 9 August 2010

Copyright © 2010 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Dementia, Elderly, Caregivers, Respite

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Socio-Demographic Characteristics (Family Caregivers)
jkan-40-482-i001
Table 2
Socio-Demographic Characteristics (Professional Caregivers)
jkan-40-482-i002

Notes

This work was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) (NRF-2008-314-E00266).

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