Caregiver respite: coming back after being away

Respite services are seen as one key formal support intervention mitigating the negative consequences of family caregiving. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the caregivers' respite experience influenced their return to the responsibilities of caring for their family members. The discussion is based on a qualitative interpretative study with 20 caregivers exploring the meaning of respite to family caregivers of persons with dementia. Although the beneficial effect of the emotional and physical refreshment and renewal was evident throughout, there were notable variations in how caregivers experienced their return to caregiver responsibilities. Some experienced short-term despondency and feelings of 'let-down' while others felt guilty and emotionally devastated when they returned. Three factors emerged which related to the differential caregiver experiences: the amount of time and quality of the respite interval; the nature and quality of the respite help that was used for the dependent family member; and the condition of their dementia family member when the caregiver resumed the caregiver role. Clinicians must recognize that these factors strongly influence how the responsibilities of caregiving are resumed. Researchers must explore for additional factors which detract from the anticipated positive effects of the caregiver respite experience. Clarification of these factors can provide guidance to service providers to develop respite services that are more attuned to the caregivers' perceptions of benefit for themselves and for their dependent family members.