PROVISION OF RESPITE CARE IN A GERIATRIC UNIT — AN EVALUATION

Respite care has been defined as a temporary relief service for families or primary care givers and has emerged as a vital requirement for those caring for the disabled, and the elderly in the community. Although respite care has been suggested in the United States “as an element in the after care of recently discharged patients or to acquaint patients with the range of services available in a nursing home it remains in Australia as primarily a service which enables care givers to continue to maintain frail elderly people in their own homes. This review was undertaken to examine whether there might also be a measureable benefit for disabled and elderly individuals themselves, an issue which appears to have been neglected by researchers and service providers alike. Four beds in a geriatric unit in a general hospital were set aside for respite care for one year. Of the 96 patients referred for such care 43% benefited from additional diagnosis, 40% required medication alteration and 37.5% additional community services. At discharge although 4 patients stayed beyond their allotted time for other reasons no relatives refused to care again for their relative. At review in Jan 1985 38 were still alive and in the community, 23 had died and 13 were in nursing homes, It is argued that there are benefits in providing respite care in geriatric units. Summary Four beds in a geriatric unit in a general hospital were set aside for respite care for one year. Of the 96 patients referred for such care 43% benefitted from additional diagnosis, 40% required medication alteration and 37.5% additional community services. At discharge although 4 patients stayed beyond their allotted time for other reasons no relatives refused to care again for their relative. At review in Jan 1985, 38 were still alive and in the community, 23 had died and 13 were in nursing homes. It is argued that there are benefits in providing respite care in geriatric units.