Effects of respite care training on respite provider knowledge and confidence, and outcomes for family caregivers receiving respite services

Respite services are vital in supporting informal caregivers in need of a break from their caregiving duties. A respite training program aimed at developing respite provider competence and improving caregiver well-being was evaluated. Trainees experienced significant growth in their perceived respite knowledge and confidence to deliver respite from pretraining to posttraining. An objective core competency assessment confirmed posttraining knowledge in 10 core areas of respite. Family caregivers provided more favorable ratings on various measures of their well-being while receiving respite from a trained provider compared to before respite began and if respite were to end. Findings suggest that formal training prepares providers to deliver quality respite resulting in improved caregiver outcomes.