'Time and space': carers' views about respite care

The needs of carers have become more visible since the Carers Recognition & Service Act (1995). Although the demand for respite care is apparent it ha s proven much harder to establish its precise benefits using quantitative a nalysis. Some studies have shown no benefit at all to carers and the only c lear benefit to emerge from more elaborate randomized controlled trials is a modest reduction in caregiver distress. Quantitative instruments may miss some of the benefits. We embarked on a qualitative study to determine what carers themselves said about the benefits or otherwise of respite care. Tw enty-three carers were interviewed about their experiences of respite care and qualitative themes were derived from the transcripts of these semi-stru ctured interviews. Caring was conceptualized in terms of costs (physical ex haustion, feelings of despair, lack of recognition and financial losses) an d benefits (a sense of closeness to the dependant and enhanced self-esteem) . Respite care emerged as a service that offered 'normality' and 'freedom' to the carer. Conversely, it was also perceived in critical terms if there was any shortfall between the quality of professional care compared to thei r own informal care. However high the quality of respite care, there was th e uncomfortable realization by many that this care might be viewed as a sig nal to the patient, the family and the local community that they were no lo nger able to cope. Respite care was perceived as a service which, on balanc e, facilitated informal care and enabled care to continue at home for longe r than would otherwise have been possible. The particular component of this service that was most valued was the option of a home-sitting service.