Content area

Abstract

Primary unpaid family caregivers of Alzheimer’s care recipients endure physical fatigue, emotional stress, psychological pressures, and health issues that could hinder their capacity to deliver consistent care. Respite care services can help reduce caregiver burden and enhance health outcomes; therefore, examining and evaluating their effectiveness is beneficial in meeting the needs of primary unpaid family caregivers. This study was conducted to address a lack of information in the literature and to evaluate the efficacy of respite care services for primary unpaid family caregivers of Alzheimer’s care recipients in Alaska and their caregivers’ awareness of and motivation to utilize these services to reduce caregiver burden. This qualitative case study, grounded on resilience and personcentered theories, explored participants’ perspectives on the efficacy, use, and non-use of respite care and the primary unpaid family caregivers’ awareness of and motivation to use or not use these services. Data were collected through a review of archival documents and interviews with two respite care agency administrators, five respite care agency staff members, and three family member caregivers. A thematic data analysis was used to code, categorize, develop themes, and interpret the findings. The key findings show that respite care is effective with breaks in caregiving, a support system, a caregiver shortage, increased respite care hours, and additional training. Positive social change implications of this research would include timely referral to respite care services for primary unpaid family caregivers of Alzheimer’s care recipients. A recommendation is that medical providers become more supportive and educate caregivers on the Alzheimer’s decline process.

Details

1010268
Title
Respite Care Services and the Experiences of Unpaid Adult Child Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Number of pages
341
Publication year
2026
Degree date
2026
School code
0543
Source
DAI-B 86/12(E), Dissertation Abstracts International
ISBN
9798283479460
Advisor
Committee member
Zentella, Yoly
University/institution
Walden University
Department
Psychology
University location
United States -- Minnesota
Degree
Psy.D.
Source type
Dissertation or Thesis
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation/Thesis
Dissertation/thesis number
32047480
ProQuest document ID
3223169470
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/respite-care-services-experiences-unpaid-adult/docview/3223169470/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works.
Database
ProQuest One Academic