Informing design of the BlueCare Dementia In-Home Respite Program
This study aimed to understand the experiences and perspectives of people living with dementia and family carers to inform BlueCare’s Dementia In-Home Respite Service. We also aimed to understand the barriers and enablers to implementing the service across various locations.
Research Project Team
Lead Researcher
Dr Caroline Grogan
Research Team
Dr Olivia Fisher
Dr Elizabeth Martin
Associate Professor Wendell Cockshaw
Belinda Moshi
Sarah Harriman
About this Research Project
There is a current gap between the needs of family carers and people living with dementia and service delivery. Family carers are pivotal in supporting people living with dementia to stay connected in their communities and remain living in their own homes. Having a short break from their caring role (respite), enables and sustains the caring relationship. Yet, respite services are often incompatible or not suitable for people living with dementia and family carers.
To help bridge this gap we engaged with people living with dementia and family carers to understand what they need and want from a dementia in-home respite service model.
We conducted focus groups and interviews across three Queensland regions. Eleven family carers and four people living with dementia participated.
Findings will guide adaptations towards a flexible and tailored service to meet the needs of family carers and people living with dementia.
A detailed report with recommendations for the service model was shared with BlueCare and UnitingCare Queensland.
Publications & Reports
Grogan, C., Harriman, S., Martin, E., Waite, R., Hawthorne, L., Fisher, O. J. (2024). Dementia In-Home Respite: Understanding the perspectives and wishes of family carers and people living with dementia to inform the dementia in-home respite program: Confidential Internal Report. Wesley Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland.