Evolution of Dementia Carers’ Needs for and Access to Short Breaks: A Research Study from Wales

This event was cohosted by ARCH and the BREAK Exchange

International policy recognizes the importance of short breaks and respite for sustaining caregiving relationships. The necessity for short breaks to evolve in form and function is relevant for all caregiving relationships where degenerative chronic conditions are present. However, there is limited understanding of how unpaid carers’ break needs evolve in response to the progressive course of dementia and how these are supported. A better understanding of the temporal dimension to short break needs can help inform the planning, commissioning, or improvement of services and supports to enable carers to have a life alongside caring.

The presenter will share the findings of her qualitative study of 13 spousal carers for people living with dementia to construct a narrative description of the caregiving career, in which spousal carers’ evolving break needs, experience of accessing breaks, and desired break outcomes were explored.

PRESENTER

Maria Caulfield, MSc, Ageing & Dementia @ Bangor / Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) Wales Research Centre, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Bangor University, Gwynedd, Wales, UK