Caregiver Attitudes Regarding Utilization and Usefulness of Respite Services for People with Alzheimer's Disease

While families providing care for a person with Alz- heimer's disease express the need for an array of supportive services, relief from caregiving responsibilities (respite) is often a primary concern. Expressed need for respite, however, does not always result in predicted levels of service utilization. This paper identifies research and practice-based data on what caregivers consider when assessing the availability, accessibility, quality and utility of respite services. Factors within each of these four categories will be explored with respect to caregivers' decisions to utilize respite ser- vices. Implications for program planning and service delivery will also be considered.