Respite Care for Family Caregivers of Elders with Dementia: Concept Clarification

Chang, Sung Ok; Song, Mi Ryeong; Kong, Gye Soon; Choen, Suk Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE
Respite care is not a discrete intervention, but encompasses a range of services. This research was conducted to clarify the phenomenon of respite care for family caregivers of elders with dementia from a nursing perspective.
METHODS
The Hybrid Model of concept development was applied to clarify the concept of respite care for family caregivers of elders with dementia. The study was conducted in the following three steps, theoretical phase, fieldwork phase, and final analytic phase.
RESULTS
The definition of respite care for family caregivers of elders with dementia was delineated through integration of data analyses in theoretical and fieldwork phase, and has three dimensions; tailored supports for caregivers, tailored supports based on physical and cognitive function of elders with dementia and community interventions related to family care function.
CONCLUSION
Through this study, the concept of respite care for family caregivers of elders with dementia is clarified and reformulated as nursing practice phenomena in the Korean context, which indicates ways to develop caring practice forms for a family living with an elder with dementia in a community setting.