The host-homes program: an innovative model of respite for carers of people with dementia

Objective: To investigate the operation of an innovative community respite program tun by the Brotherhood of St Laurence: the Banksia 'host-home' program, which was designed to provide respite for up to six people with dementia in a care-worker's home. The program was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care as part of a funding program for pilot respite care projects. Method: Interviews were conducted with program staff, carers and care-recipients (older people with dementia). Information from written records such as funding submissions was also used. Results: People using the program were those who experienced barriers utilising centre-based programs for older people for a range of reasons including advanced dementia, hearing difficulties, difficulties in social interaction or confusion. Carers were very appreciative of the service, and care-recipients appeared to enjoy the program immensely, citing caring staff, social contact and activities as things they appreciated most. Conclusions: The host-home program provided an accessible respite option for those unable to use centre-bused services. It enabled more individually tailored activities, greater socialisation and greater attention from staff than possible in centre-based services. The informal 'homely' feel of the program and the fact that relatives obviously enjoyed participating may have made carers feel more comfortable in using a respite service. Since the model creates the potential for cost-shifting and because of difficulties in supervising staff in their own homes, guidelines and standards appropriate to host-home programs should be established to ensure quality of care and to protect paid staff and service users.