Carers' perspective on respite for persons with acquired brain injury
- 1 June 2007
- journal article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in International Journal of Rehabilitation Research
- Vol. 30 (2), 137-146
- https://doi.org/10.1097/mrr.0b013e32813a2f11
Abstract
Persons with acquired brain injury require continuing care and support in various aspects of their lives. Although the care and support are predominantly provided by family members, little is known about the respite that these carers require to continue the care on a daily basis. This study aims to address the lack of data on respite care and people with acquired brain injury from the perspective of carers. Survey methodology was used to gather information from carers who were members of a peak brain injury association in New South Wales, Australia. The responses of 85 carers were analysed using logistic regression and frequency counts. The characteristics of carers were consistent with the research literature on respite and acquired brain injury, with carers being mainly female and there being a reliance on an informal network to assist in the care. Carers also reported that caring prevented them from obtaining gainful employment. Several factors were significantly associated with the use of respite, these were carers' single marital status; and the person with acquired brain injury's severity of disability, high level of dependency and number of days spent in coma. Carers also reported other factors that might influence them to use respite and they identified their expectations of respite. This study highlights carers' perspective on respite that is an under-researched area in acquired brain injury and reiterates ongoing need for respite.Keywords
This publication has 43 references indexed in Scilit:
- Fair shares? Supporting families caring for adult persons with intellectual disabilitiesJournal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2005
- Respite care for children who have complex healthcare needsPaediatric Nursing, 2002
- Adults with intellectual disability in long-term respite care: a qualitative studyJournal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 2001
- A Home Program of Rehabilitation for Moderately Severe Traumatic Brain Injury PatientsJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 2000
- A transitional living environment for persons with brain injuries: staff and client perceptionsBrain Injury, 1998
- Persons with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Their FamiliesPublished by Taylor & Francis ,1997
- Reviewing Respite Services: Some lessons from the literatureDisability & Society, 1997
- The Impact of Respite Use on Nursing Home PlacementThe Gerontologist, 1995
- Psychosocial adjustment three years after traumatic brain injuryThe Clinical Neuropsychologist, 1991
- Impact of traumatic brain damage on family dynamics and functioning: a reviewInternational Disability Studies, 1991