Value of respite care under estimated

More than a quarter of people who care for someone with dementia need respite care but don’t receive it, according to a new report from Alzheimer’s Australia.

The report, Respite Care for people living with Dementia: It is more than just a short break, was released at the 13th Alzheimer’s Australia Conference in Adelaide.

Glenn Rees, national executive director of Alzheimer’s Australia, said respite care was accepted as a crucial component of carer support that can assist people with dementia to stay at home for as long as possible.

“The report tells us that many carers are unable to access the kinds of respite they need when they need it, or are reluctant to use the services that are available,” Mr Rees said.

“For every three dementia carers who have used respite, there are another two who need it but have not used it.

“But respite care, particularly in the mild to moderate phases of the disease, is vital for the health and wellbeing of both the carer and person with dementia. It enables them to engage socially with others and take part in activities that had previously been part of their everyday life.

“Using respite care in the early stages of the disease may also mean that in later stages, emergencies are less likely to arise and respite care can be used with less stress for the carer and less objection from the person with dementia,” he said.

The report found that 27% of carers of people with dementia who need respite do not use it. As well, compared to all carers, carers of people with dementia were 10 times more likely to say they needed respite but had not used it.

But Mr Rees said the figures underestimate the problem.

“These figures are restricted to people aged 65 and over and may also have missed out some people with mild dementia, which means there are a whole lot more people out there facing this problem,” Mr Rees said.