Respite care for people with dementia: the range of models for getting a break

Hilary Arksey and Claire Bamford report on the first stage of a two-year national study of respite care and short breaks for people with dementia and their carers

The authors report on the first stage of a two-year national study of respite care and short breaks for people with dementia and their carers, in which they identified the range of service models available in the UK. Models identified included: day care, host family day care, social events, interest and activity groups, home based support (including sitting services), adult placement schemes, specialist respite facilities, respite beds, short breaks and holidays.