A Multi-Service Respite Program for Caregivers of Alzheimer's Patients

This paper describes the services and procedures of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center's multi-service respite service demonstration project for 205 caregivers of elderly Alzheimer's patients. Selected sections of data are reported that provide information needed by professionals for planning and delivering such services. Of all caregivers who were offered respite, 52% actually availed themselves of the services. Of those, two-thirds chose in-home services, with smaller proportions using day care and institutional respite. Reasons for such choices and for the non-use of respite, the advantages and problems of different types of respite, and implications for development of respite programs are discussed.