Respite care services to caretakers of chronically ill children in California.
Caring for chronically ill and/or technology-dependent children at home can be emotionally, physically, psychologically, and financially exhausting for the caregiver. Caregivers require temporary relief from the burden of day-to-day care of these children. Respite care offers the opportunity for this relief. A study was conducted to survey the availability of respite care for chronically ill and technology-dependent children in California. Survey findings from 45 agencies indicated that 38% provided respite care for chronically ill and/or technology-dependent children. Fifty percent of agencies provided care for less than 10 chronically ill and/or technology-dependent children per year. Major problems associated with provision of respite services were inadequate reimbursement and insufficient request for services.
O'Connor
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Vander Plaats
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Betz
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CL
D002140:California; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D012144:Respite Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data