Informal carers' perception of care in a respite setting

Abstract

Respite care is the shared care of a person with special needs in order for the family to have a well deserved rest from the routine care (Treneman, Corkery, Dowdney and Hammond, 1997). The aim of this study is to gain knowledge about what informal carers think about respite care since no previous research studies were done in Malta. This qualitative study utilized a descriptive research method consisting of eight informal carers who had been using the respite service for their dependents for more then six months. Data was collected using closed-ended questions for the demographic data and a semi-structured interview with open-ended questions for the second part of the research tool which looked into the objectives being; to identify reasons for the use of respite care, to explore the positive and negative effects of respite care on both the informal carers and their dependents, to identify factors that may influence the effectiveness of respite care and to identify what information does the informal carers need in preparation for using the respite care. Being an interview 100% response was present. Data analysis was done using content analysis that is organizing the qualitative data gathered according to themes (Polit and Beck, 2010). Transcripts were done and data in the demographic data was analyzed and presented. Themes were found in all the other questions asked and data was analyzed and entered every time the theme was mentioned. The results showed that on the whole, the respondents had a good relationship with their dependents. In fact a special kind of communication method was perceived between the informal carers and their dependents. As literature suggests, the current study also showed that respite care affects the informal carers in some ways including guilt, worry, everyday needs and rest. As stated by the informal carers, the dependents were also affected by respite care physically, socially and psychologically depending on the individuals themselves. Preparation and knowledge about respite care was perceived to be very important and beneficial both for those in need for the service and also for the general public to decrease any chances of social stigma. These themes that emerged are discussed further in the discussion chapter. From the results of this study it is recommended that the same study is carried out on a larger scale and in more then one respite setting. The staff working at the respite facilities and the dependents themselves might also be asked about what they think about the care given. Support groups and educational programs must be initiated together with educational leaflets, courses, advertisements and programs to increase the knowledge about the subject. More available spaces and financial aides must be present both for these families to use these services and even for the respite care management by the government.