Effects of adult day service programs on time usage by employed and non-employed caregivers

Adult day service (ADS) programs provide caregivers with a block of rime aw ayfrom their relative but may not reduce the overall rime they spendcaregiv ing The currentstudy addresses rime estimates of caregiving activities amon g employed and non-employed caregivers of relatives with dementia who atten ded an ADSprogramfor 3 months. ADS restructured caregiving activities by re ducing the time caregivers spent dealing with behavior problems, reducing t he time care-recipients spent alone, and increasing the time caregivers spe nt awayfrom their relatives. Di$erences in how ADS restructures timefor emp loyed and non-employed caregivers are discussed. Day care supplements help provided by the caregiver and other informal sources and provides caregiver s with uninterrupted time awayfrom their relative.