Respite care -- psychosocial factors

Objective: To examine the use of respite services among carers of non-institutionalised individuals aged 15 and over with either profound or severe disabilities. Methods: Based on data collected from the Australian Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers in 2003, the investigation evaluated the statistical significance of a number of carer and recipient characteristics on the likelihood of the use of respite services. Further analysis assisted in identifying the support most desired by the majority of carers (88.6%, n=243690) who have never used respite.

Background: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often require full-time care, which may be provided by informal carers. Respite becomes a vital part of carers' lives allowing temporary relief. Little attention in the literature is given to the people who experience respite care. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the views of respite care by MS patients and their carers. Method: A cross sectional survey was conducted in Northern Ireland, one questionnaire for patients and another for carers.