No description available.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects short-term respite care had on caregivers of elderly and brain-impaired adults. The study also sought to examine the role that social support plays in determining satisfaction with respite care.

Parenting is a stressful endeavor that can be even more difficult for parents of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become increasingly prevalent over the past 15 years, which has baffled researchers and frustrated parents. Respite can be important to help alleviate stress for parents of individuals with ASD, and serve as a break for them from the demands of parenting. The present study utilized a mixed methods design to study the effect of respite on caregiver well-being. Using quantitative data, the study examined the effects of a respite cruise vacation organized by a travel group called Autism on the Seas on various indices of well-being among 20 parents of children with ASD. Parents provided survey responses prior to the cruise (pre-cruise measure) and three months after the cruise (post-cruise measure). Variables included caregiver stress, caregiver self-efficiency, caregiver social network and family quality of life. It was hypothesized that the Autism on the Seas respite vacation experience would be related to increased well-being among caregivers, specifically decreased caregiver reports of stress, increased caregiver reports of social network, increased caregiver reports of family quality of life, and increased caregiver report of self-efficacy. The quantitative study found significant associations among the well-being variables, however no statistical difference between the caregivers’ reports of well-being on pre and post cruise measures. The qualitative component of the study aimed to describe perceptions of respite, barriers to respite-utilization, and aspects of respite that caregivers of children with ASD described as most beneficial. Six couples and one single father participated in the qualitative component of the study. Interview transcriptions were all analyzed through open coding and then axial coding to find data trends and themes. It was hypothesized that respite would bring positive experiences to caregivers, allowing caregivers to take time to maintain their own well-being psychologically and physically. The qualitative study revealed the themes of the centrality of trusted caregivers to parent’s willingness to accept respite, limited social networks of parent with children with ASD, and both caregiver well-being and child well-being and severity of ASD as important to parents’ use of respite programs such that parents of children with more severe ASD reported more trouble accessing respite care. Together, the study points to the need for future studies to investigate a broad range of types of respite programs for individuals with ASD and their families.

Parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at greater risk than other couples for having higher stress levels and lower marital quality. Respite care has been suggested as a way to help alleviate stress. This study investigated the relationship between respite care and marital quality; and the potential of mother stress and father stress as mediating variables. One hundred and one couples, each consisting of a mother and a father who lived with their child with an ASD, were given questionnaires including a respite questionnaire, Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Experience in Close Relationships Questionnaire, and Daily Hassles and Uplifts Scale. Results showed that the amount of respite care was positively related to marital quality for both husbands and wives. Husband and wife stress and husband and wife uplifts mediated the relationship between respite care and marital quality for both husbands and wives, indicating these variables of stress and uplifts were processes through which respite care had an indirect effect on marital quality. Results suggest that policy makers should develop strategies for providing respite care for families with children diagnosed with an ASD.

Single mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are likely to experience high levels of stress and be at risk for depression. However, respite care can reduce parenting stress and lower psychological distress in parents of children with disabilities. This study focused on single mothers of children with ASD and their reports of stress relative to respite care received. One hundred and twenty-two single mothers completed the Respite Care Instrument, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Hassles and Uplifts Scale, and Caregiver Burden Instrument. Results were mixed. Respite care was positively related to daily uplifts, but not significantly related to depression or stress. Uplifts mediated the relationship between respite care and depression, but stress did not mediate the relationship between respite care and depression, indicating uplifts were a process through which respite care had an indirect effect on depression. More than half (59.8%; n = 73) of mothers accessed respite care, most (41.0%; n = 30) being provided by a combination of sources: grandparents, extended family member, babysitter, community agency, or other. Seventy-seven percent of mothers (n = 94) were at risk for clinical depression. Findings provide evidence that single mothers of children with ASD are likely to experience depressive symptoms, access multiple sources of respite care, and be less likely to report depressive symptoms when they (a) receive respite care, and (b) report high amounts of daily uplifts. Therefore, it is important respite care be accessible and provided to single mothers of children with ASD. Recommendations for policy makers, school personnel, and research are offered.

No description available.

Respite Care programs for the elderly and their families are being recognized and developed within Long Term Care systems. Research on these programs is sparse and focused on outcome studies. Very little work has been published that addresses grounded theory building or exploratory needs assessments in the definition of need and objectives for respite care. This exploratory study addresses the issue of need for respite from two perspectives. Within an urban Canadian center, focused interviews were conducted with a sample of family caregivers in high risk situations. Case scenario questionnaires were distributed and focused interviews conducted with Long Term Care case Managers, content analysis was used to identify themes and issues from all data sources. The themes and categories that emerged from the data are discussed in relation to a system stimulation model and locus of control perspective as applied to understanding need and establishing program objectives and delivery patterns. Implications for needs assessments, program design, intervention, and future research are presented. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The diploma thesis deals with the design of the building of the Center for Children's Oncology Endowment Fund Krtek (Mole) at the crossing of Milady Horákové and Francouzské streets in Brno. Emphasis is placed on a detailed solution of operational, functional and capacity needs, which are individual requirements of a particular endowment fund.

KAPLANOVA, Tereza. Possibilities of support for family caregivers in providing care for adults with a serious health handicap. Prague: Faculty of Education, Charles University, 2021, - 69 p. Diploma thesis. The aim of the diploma thesis is to present the possibilities of support for caring families for adults with severe disabilities and to create appropriate recommendations for caregivers who care for their loved ones with severe disabilities in the home environment. The theoretical part defines basic information about home care, families in the role of caregivers of adults with severe disabilities. It defines the system of counseling care in the Czech Republic and focuses on informal home care. It also describes respite care as assistance to carers and defines palliative care. The practical part presents in the form of case studies specific cases of 4 families caring for adults with severe disabilities in home care. Furthermore, the work focuses on the specific needs of carers and the possibility of adequate support and assistance to these people. Based on case studies, research questions and analysis of practice with professional literature, a brochure is created, which is focused on the support of caring families. Key words: Home care, informal caregiver, family, palliative care, respite care.

The aim of this study was to identify differences in how the service respite care in ordinary housing is offered to people who are caring for or supporting relatives with dementia in nine municipalities in a region in southern Sweden. The study has focused on organizational factors that may affect the use of the service and the theoretical aspects of professional discretion and assessment principles in social work. To examine this, data was collected from a semi-structured survey (n = 59) directed to assistance officers and chief managers. Secondary quantitative data from a mapping of the nine municipalities support for people with dementia and their relatives was also included in the study. The methods used to analyse data were statistical analysis and quantitative content analysis. The span between equal and individual care have been studied to gain perspective on how local assistance officers and chief managers can adapt the availability and configuration of the service, in relation to the guidelines and the individual's needs. The results of the study show that there are differences in how municipalities offer respite care in ordinary housing for the informal carers and on what grounds they have access to it. There are also differences in the range of the service in some of the municipalities. Respondents estimate that they have wide professional discretion to adapt the service to individual needs, while they feel that the municipality's guidelines should be followed. Furthermore, the results show that use of the service is relatively low in the studied municipalities. To increase the use, respondents believe that security, confidence and trust are especially important in the relationship between the staff in home care services and the carers.