Achieving a restorative mental break for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease

Background/Aim:  This phenomenological exploration of how caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease achieve a mental break defined them as distinct periods of freedom from caregiving concerns and conceptualised them as the essence of respite and as a restorative occupation.Methods:  Four in‐depth interviews each with 15 family caregivers revealed two categories.Results:  Factors associated with achieving a mental break included: social support, traditional respite, relief‐enhancing conditions, techniques for momentary stress reduction, and respite impediments. Achieving a mental break included mental break techniques and experiencing a mental break.Conclusions:  Restorative mental breaks are often within caregiver control, are achievable independent of formal respite services, and involve both rest and engagement in absorbing activities. Restorative breaks are often pleasurable, support productivity, may be entwined with caregiving activities, and importantly, do not compromise care recipient well‐being.