Effects of Adult Day Service Programs on Time Usage by Employed and Non-Employed Caregivers

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Abstract
Adult day service (ADS) programs provide caregivers with a block of time away from their relative but may not reduce the overall time they spend caregiving. The current study addresses time estimates of caregiving activities among employed and non-employed caregivers of relatives with dementia who attended an ADS program for 3 months. ADS restructured caregiving activities by reducing the time caregivers spent dealing with behavior problems, reducing the time care-recipients spent alone, and increasing the time caregivers spent away from their relatives. Differences in how ADS restructures time for employed and non-employed caregivers are discussed. Day care supplements help provided by the caregiver and other informal sources and provides caregivers with uninterrupted time away from their relative.