The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break*: a fresh look at respite

* Other episodes of Friends are available 🙂

Last year we looked at respite options for people with dementia to feed into a report for the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales. Here we reflect on what we found and consider some of the key points, especially around the idea of respite being a joint activity for both the person with dementia and the carer.

What is respite?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘respite’ as being a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. The traditional view of respite is that it gives the carer a break from caring. The person with dementia goes somewhere, such as a day centre or a care home for an overnight stay. It is often accessed as a last resort when the carer reaches crisis point, and as such can have negative connotations. Many people feel that it suggests that caring is a burden and the carer is failing if they need respite. It can also make the carer feel guilty, especially if the respite has a negative effect on the person with dementia, for example the disruption of staying in a different place. The focus tends to be on helping the carer, and the outcomes for the person with dementia can often be overlooked.