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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2003 Nov-Dec;18(6):375–382. doi: 10.1177/153331750301800611

Effect of respite care training on the knowledge, attitude, and self-esteem of volunteer providers

Karen M Robinson 1, Kay F Kiesler 2, Stephen W Looney 3
PMCID: PMC10833854  PMID: 14682087

Abstract

This pilot study explored the effect that respite care training had on volunteers' knowledge about Alzheimer's disease (AD), their attitudes toward the cognitively impaired, and their self-esteem. Volunteer respite providers (n = 52) were recruited and participated in four different day (seven-hour) respite care training programs. The sample was predominantly female (85 percent) and white (90 percent). Knowledge about AD increased significantly after respite training (p < .001), and attitudes toward someone who wanders were also significantly improved (p = .026). Overall, the findings support the immediate effectiveness of the respite training program.

Keywords: caregiving, respite care, social support

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Contributor Information

Karen M. Robinson, University of Louisville School of Nursing, Louisville, Kentucky..

Kay F. Kiesler, Veterans Administration Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky..

Stephen W. Looney, Dept. of Family and Community Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky..

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